9/11 Rhetorical Analysis Essay

FDR's Pearl Harbor, and Bush's 9/11 speech were presented in a time of hurt and devastation and were used to reassure the country of its greatness and power. To reassure what was once a territory that it was still under US rule, and to reassure families of victims that everything was alright. At a time of confusion, both president George Bush and president Franklin Roosevelt spoke in front of the country after as series of tragic events struck the nation. Even though both speeches were presented, one was more beneficial to the nation.

Despite the several terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, America remained strong and united. In the speech “Address to the Nation on the Terrorist Attacks”, George W. Bush, addresses the terrorist attack of September eleventh to let the citizens know they can overcome a tragic and mournful incident by remaining unified and a powerful country. The primary audience are the citizens and the family members of the ones who had died or were involved in the incident. The secondary audience are the terrorists to let them know American’s are not scared and will stand together against them. Bush uses ethos, pathos, and figurative language to encourage the citizens to be stronger, united, and feel safe.

Tuesday morning, September 11 of 2001, referred to as a day to remember, the twin towers were attacked by terrorists in a hijacked plane. Thousands of lives were lost and it was a day that brought great sorrow to America. George W. Bush, the president at that time, addressed his speech to America as a nation, giving them hope that the events that took place earlier that day would not shake them but that they would come back stronger. In this essay I will evaluate Bush’s formal 9/11 Address to the Nation and discuss the speaker’s appeals to pathos, logos and ethos to convey his message that America can stand tall as one.

The morning of 9/11 I wasn’t going to go to work because I had an allergy appointment,

Former President George W. Bush’s speech, “Bullhorn”, was given through a megaphone on top the rumble of 220 floors of a horrific event. On the day of September 11, 2001, an Islamic group, called Al-Qaeda, hijacked four American passenger airliners to carry out suicide attacks against targets across the United States. The potential targets included: the twin towers, the Pentagon and the White House. Three of the four hijacked airliners accomplished their goal as the lives of 3,000 innocent civilians were taken. A cloud of grief and mourn covered the country as they experience the worst tragedy since 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soon after the attack on September 14th, a ray of hope appeared as President Bush took the stage. Throughout his speech, three rhetorical devices were shown are: ethos, logos, and pathos. Bush used these three devices to connect with the audiences’ emotions, appeal to the audiences’ ethics, and appeal to the logical side of the audience additionally, all while creating a sufficient speech to the comfort the country.

Every American citizen can remember exactly where they were on the day September 11, 2001, this day was burned into the mind of American because the biggest terrorist attack in American history would occur. Two Boeing planes hijacked by a terrorist organization named al-Qaeda who would crash the planes into the world trades centers, sending America into shock(Pizzo,2016). There have been countless laws and regulations passed in America since the awful terrorist attacks on 9/11, has it been effective or a failure. The attack on September 11, 2001, will forever be a turning point in American history, it raised one of the most important questions in American society today what is more import for a citizen freedom or security and the law put in place to combat these horrific terrorist attack ultimately would be ineffective and tear American more apart on political issues.

One of the most detrimental and traumatic events of United States history involves the terrorist attacks on the day of September 11th, in 2001. September 11th is a day countless Americans will never forget. Because our nation encountered such a horrific attack, it was up to our president during the time, President George W. Bush, to address the country. Many Americans suffered loss and fear; therefore, former President George Bush’s goal was to heal and comfort the nation by persuading them to see the light within the darkness. Bush’s speech was a success because he showed America’s togetherness and solidarity by creating an emotional connection to the audience; moreover, by responding appropriately to the attacks, he presented himself with a leadership and role no one else could take.

9/11 was a very traumatic event in the United States. On 9/11, a series of terrorist attacks took place. There were a total of four hijacked planes that was involved with this historical event. Two planes went right for the World Trade Center or the “Twin Towers.” A hijacker flew the third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. Thousands of lives were ended that day. On the night of September 11, 2001 at 8:30 PM, the whole nation came together to listen to President George W. Bush’s speech. His use of ethos and pathos is good for explaining the issue and being able to talk about what has happened. His use of logos, or logic, is successful because he gives reasoning for what he did when the attacks first happened and how he handled everything.

After the twin towers fell and condensed to rubble on September 11, 2001, the Bush administration quickly formulated a plan to maintain the nation’s sense of national safety and security. John Lewis Gaddis summarized the administration’s directions to the public when he wrote, “Bush requested, and only partially received, what amounted to a global police action against terrorism, combined with a call for vigilance at home and abroad, combined with the suggestion that, despite what had happened, Americans should carry on with their ordinary lives” (Gaddis at 37). The citizens were to follow the example of former British politician Sir Winston Churchill; Bush believed the nation would best react to the crisis by applying Churchill’s words

On September 11th, 2001, tragedy struck America with the attacks on the Twin Towers and on the Pentagon. Not only did tens of thousands of New Yorkers see these atrocities firsthand but, millions of viewers watched in horror on the news; witnessing their nation under attack. Hundreds of terrified civilians ran from the carnage, however there were some who ran toward the collapsing buildings to save innocent lives. President George W. Bush stood with the fire fighters, the police and other first responders holding the flag of his nation and gave his address to the mourning citizens of the United States. He mainly used the strategies of ethos and pathos to try to comfort the American people and also have them rise and fight against the terror.

On September 11th 2001, the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out terrorist attacks against the United States. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center twin towers. The third hit the Pentagon outside Washington, and the final plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed as a result, and this tragic event defined the presidency of George W. Bush (History.com Staff). Shortly after the attacks, President Bush delivered a powerful speech that helped unify the American people, defy the terrorists, and call the citizens to action. In his 9/11 speech, President Bush successfully uses rhetorical devices to address the terrorism, unite people, and give hope to his audience.

September 11, 2001, the start of terrorism in The United States, and the end of innocence in our lives. Some of us are lucky to never know the fright of that horrid day. For others though, the events that transpired on September 11 will live on forever in their memory.

In 2001, an event occurred in the United States of America that was life-changing for every American. On September 11, America had been severely attacked by terrorists, leaving behind traumatic memories for many and led to the country having to take initiative. At the time, George W. Bush was president, and he had to take action to this event in which was defining his presidency. Nine days after the attack, Bush gave an address to a joint session of Congress and to the nation. This dramatic address struck home with America, raising confidence and giving hope to the people. One may wonder, how exactly was Bush able to accomplish such a historical address? The usage of various rhetorical devices are present in his speech, allowing him to craft a powerful speech and connect with his audience. Bush establishes Cicero’s five canons of rhetoric throughout his 9/11 speech by achieving each individual requirement differently to present an address in order to adequately address the attack and give America a plan of action.

In early September, 2001, tragedy transpires much closer to home then Americans are accustomed to experiencing. The public initially react with fear, even dread, as they wonder how widespread the attacks are, and how substantial the impact will be. However; as days, even hours pass, these feelings give way to anger, hot and bitter, demanding to be quenched in the cold water of retribution. Justice is sought almost unilaterally among a nation so often and easily divided as the public, politicians and news organizations seek to find a just answer to the evil done to their country. And an answer is given, war is ventured, and the demand for vengeance appears to have been somewhat sated. Time passes, some wounds slowly heal; as they do, the decisiveness

Note: All calculations are based off information found on the internet, although the information was gathered for reputable sources and it is believed the information is accurate. It can not be confirmed; therefore, the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, this report should not be taken as an all inclusive summary of how, why or what happened, but should be taken as a possible explanation of the events that occurred on September the 11th 2001.