Elements Of Oral Tradition : Ronald Reagan 's A Time For Choosing

This speech is famous because of a powerful man who was genuine and honest to his listeners. Although at the time known as an actor, Reagan needed to provide an ethos for himself and he did so by stating “The sponsor has been identified, but unlike most television programs, the performer hasn't been provided with a script. As a matter of fact, I have been permitted to choose my own words and discuss my own ideas regarding the choice that we face in the next few weeks.” His speech continues on in the context of persuading, rather than recognizing, or inspiring, so there are not many comparisons or metaphors, he does however use the power of parallelism. The phrase “This is a man who”, is repeated several

His speech is stirring, remembering the great contributions to history of fallen and living soldiers of all nationalities who fought for their beliefs in the Second World War. Reagan’s dramatic and detailed descriptions of the heroism of the Army Rangers are skillfully complemented by his use of rhetorical devices such as tetracolon, anaphora, tautology, and synchises. His eloquent yet simple style allows him to weave vivid images of history into his listeners and readers’ minds, adding a new dimension to his speaking. Reagan’s speech surely served its purpose: to commemorate the actions of the Rangers, to commemorate the power of unity, and to commemorate as well as celebrate the dedication, bravery, and spirit that makes the American people

The last element of the rhetorical situation is speech. Reagan’s primary objective of this speech was to show his condolence to those of who suffered from the accident and involve audience to join for grief. Throughout his speech his ideas were carried in a coherent way, without deviating from his objective. Reagan achieved this through using various words and phrases that magnify his emotion. Using phrases such as “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of god” illustrated his feeling towards the situation without much of explanation. In addition, because he understood that the audience of this particular speech consisted of diversity of

This speech has meaning, excites emotions and reaches out to all, which makes it a great speech. Although Reagan chooses to ignore his administrations responsibility in The Challenger disaster, he concentrates instead on reassurance of the nation which makes this speech uplifting to the American people.

The last element of the rhetorical situation is speech. Reagan’s primary objective of this speech was to show his condolence to those of who suffered from the accident and involve audience to join for grief. Throughout his speech his ideas were carried in a coherent way, without deviating from his objective. Reagan achieved this through using various words and phrases that magnify his emotion. Using phrases such as “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of god” illustrated his feeling towards the situation without much of explanation. In addition, because he understood that the audience of this particular speech consisted of diversity of people, he used words that are more approachable and easy to the audience.

Ronald Reagan is known as “The great communicator” and it shows in his speech, he is able connect to the audience and this works very well for him, his speech “Address to the national challenger” it is a drastically emotional and important speech for the American people at the time it became one of Reagan’s great speeches and it was crucial to the American’s as they were all in such pain due to the accident which was the Challenger disaster. Instead of doing his report on the state union, he talks about the disaster and honors the members who had passed on board and he wishes that the United States will not stop its space exploration due to this. When listening to the speech is it distinguishable that is the speech is not something to joke about and the tone had an emotional and solemn feel with great respect to all involved being felt.

With many changes on the horizon at the time, America was given something and someone to believe in. Many speakers in history have had powerful points and strong words sometimes expressing through a forceful nature intended to scare listeners. Reagan was a speaker who developed a commanding but soothing way that was appealing to the world. Regardless of his background as an actor, the

Reagan spoke with passion and sorrow. But he showed an appreciation and respect for those who fought. He uses the word “we” very often, which unites the people and shows union. In his speech he uses the word we 19 times to show the bond between us as a people, and as a nation. He uses rhetorical questions asking why they served and fought till their last breath. “You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet, you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief; it was loyalty and love.”(Reagan). He answers his questions with love and loyalty for their families and their country. Reagan uses this in his speech to make the audience think deeply about why the men did what they did and

For the audience he gives them examples of how government interference hurts Americans and also allusions to past times such as the revolution and how the founding fathers did not want a big government. He shares that he has “an uncomfortable feeling that this prosperity isn’t something on which we base our hopes the future.” Reagan’s ability to connect with his audience was rare and unlike many of his colleagues. Whether the topics he spoke on were always relevant to that of the listener, it did not always matter.

“You and I have a rendezvous with destiny” is perhaps the most famous line from the speech. People are inspired by the speech because Reagan gives the American people hope for their future and their children’s future. His use of repetition conveys to us that we “have the ability and the dignity and the right to make our own decisions and determine our own destiny”. Repetition is a powerful rhetorical technique that Reagan exercises to emphasize unity among the American people. Reagan kept his audience eager for more.  He would expose an issue or problem and then create a solution.  Exposing faults within the existing government Reagan is able to crack part of the “once believed” solid foundation of the U.S. government.  He also exposes how the seediness and greediness of the government is leaking into the minds of other fellow Americans.  He states situations where individuals are taking desperate measures such as divorce, in order to earn a higher salary so they can provide for their families.  Reagan tells us that there are ways around this and that these issues are not individual but collective.

Reagan does nothing but have a united attitude toward his audience. For example, Reagan starts the speech by saying that we are united as one, positively. ¨Tonight we stand together to give thanks to America for providing freedom and liberty and, for many here tonight, a second home and a second life.¨ Reagan starts his speech off by accepting the audiences thanks. Throughout the speech we can conclude that the audience was thankful for their freedom, because the ones involved with the holocaust did not have that advantage. Also, President Reagan said ¨Earlier, I described our country as a compact between good and decent people.¨ He is again using unity to describe his country. Therefore, the last example of role is when Reagan uses an anecdote, a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. Reagan says ¨I can't close without remembering something else. Some years ago, I was sent on a mission to Denmark. And while there, I heard stories of the war. And I heard how the order had gone out for the Danish People, under the Nazi occupation, to identify the Jews among them. And the next day, every Dane appeared on the street wearing a star of David. Thank you all, and God bless you.¨ Personally I think that Reagan uses this anecdote to give his audience something to think about

In presidency, character is everything. Born on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan, “Dutch,” never knew that he would grow up to be famous. He served two terms as governor of California, but before that he starred in Hollywood films. Originally a liberal Democrat, Reagan ran for the U.S. presidency as a conservative Republican and won, his term beginning in 1980. Ronald Reagan became the oldest President elected when he took office as the 40th President of the United States. He was also the first U.S. president after Dwight D. Eisenhower to get re-elected and finish two complete terms in office. Reagan was president from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989. He was an effective president, measured by his popularity and by his influence on

When it comes to leaders of the free world, there are going to be times when they all must talk to the public. In this sad event that took place at the Kennedy Center, seven astronauts were on a mission to reach the moon. Sadly, the rocket that was carrying all seven killed every member inside. When President Reagan made his speech to the public, about what just happen. I like to think that he did a great job address the public. One of the main reasons I like to agree about it was the fact that his words were in perfect order. I like to assume at the time, people were afraid, mad, upset. But President Reagan had a nice cool calming effect in the way that he delivers to the people of the United States of America. First, President Reagan address

I feel that the substance and context of Reagan’s speech were eloquently put. Reagan states that "nothing ends here" the space shuttle program will continue. President Reagan came across with certainty, respect, gratitude and compassion. Reagan also appeared strong but comforting. Reagan only had a short period of time to prepare for the speech which to me only solidifies his

More formally, this paper will argue that Reagan solidifies his identity as “The Great Communicator” during his A Time for Choosing speech, by using unprecedented rhetorical strategies in order to create and unify an audience around his new conservative populism. This paper will first provide historical context for the speech, then the paper will address the