GEORGE W. BUSH “9/11 ADDRESS TO THE

NATION”

By: Meredith Priest

SOAPS TONE-SPEAKER

George W. Bush

43rd President of the United States

He graduated from Yale University in 1968 and Harvard Business School in

1975 (Cheerleader)

He is the only U.S. President to have earned an M.B.A.

In May 1968, Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard.

Prior to his marriage he had multiple episodes of alcohol abuse.

In 1978, Bush ran for the House of Representatives from Texas's 19th

congressional district but lost by 6,000 votes.

He was also Governor of Texas.

SOAPS TONE-OCCASION

On September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked planes

heading to New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

This situation caused 2,966 death which included all

the plane members, hijackers, as well as people in

the World Trade Centers and Pentagon.

Oval Office

SOAPS TONE-AUDIENCE

President George W. Bush addressed the nation on

the tragedies of that day and attempted to relieve

the fears of citizens who had witnessed the unfolding

events unfolding, both in person and on television

screens across the country.

SOAPS TONE-PURPOSE

The purpose of this speech is to inform Americans about

the event that occurred and what was going to happen next

as a country. He put emphasis on how we were not going to

let this tear us apart and we will going to be strong. “Our

country is strong.”

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest

buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.”

SOAPS TONE-SUBJECT

The subject for this speech is the terrorist attack on 9/11.

Americans were devastated by this traumatic event being President

would make this worse because you have to learn to help the

citizens of America and assure them that we are going to be okay.

“Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts

of terror.”

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came

under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.”

SOAPS TONE-TONE

When we go through catastrophes such as this one the tone will be

heartfelt and sincere as well as serious. I cannot imagine being the

President at a time like this and having to give a speech to assure the

US that we were going to be okay and not let this destroy us.

“These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American

resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest

beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep

that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of

human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. ”

ETHOS

Credibility:

George W. Bush was the President during

this tragedy, so he is automatically credible

to give this speech to the American people.

LOGOS

In George W. Bush’s speech he does not use much logos

“The functions of our government continue without interruption.

Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today

are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for

business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the

American economy will be open for business as well.”

“Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams

are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with

local rescue efforts.”

PATHOS

This speech is pretty much all pathos, because they have just been

attacked by terrorists, the easiest way to relate to the people is through

pathos.

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our

resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before,

and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we

go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children

whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and

security has been threatened.

DICTION

Bush puts lots of emphasis on the word evil. He stated multiple times how evil

the people were who bombed us and how it is the "very worst of human

nature." They wanted to search for who was behind the "evil acts." Not to

mention he added a verse from Psalm 23 which states, "Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear NO evil for you are with me."

Every paragraph in this speech has the word evil at least once.

“Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.”

“Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we

responded with the best of America.”

DICTION (CONTINUED)

He also puts a lot of emphasis on the word strong.

“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our

nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our

country is strong.”

“Our financial institutions remain strong, and the

American economy will be open for business as well.”

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American

economy will be open for business as well.

OTHER RHETORICAL DEVICES

Syntax:

“The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge --

huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible

sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger.”

“The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business

men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends

and neighbors.”

Aphorism

“Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I fear no evil for you are with me.”

VIDEO

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUXiByDQ3bA

WORKS CITED

"George W. Bush." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

"Prologue: Pieces of History." » 9/11: An Address to the Nation. N.p., n.d.

Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

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