The Ideals of Life of Contemporary American

Contemporary American Evaluation
Name
Institution
Date Evaluating Contemporary American
A rhetorician artfully conjures phrases in such a way that makes his content striking, persuasive, or compelling. Political events, commemorations, and even religious gatherings offer a platform for rhetoric. Great orators and speechmakers like Martin Luther King Jr and, more recently, Barrack Obama are among the most famous rhetoricians famed for infusing unique styles to their speeches and making them much more moving than they would have been otherwise. Martin Luther’s historic speech, dubbed ‘I Have a Dream’ (kinginstitute.stanford.edu), delivered in Washington on 28/08/1963 remains one of the most iconic rhetoric speeches of all time. ‘Yes, We Can,’ is a mantra born of a memorable, moving speech by then Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential nominee Barrack Obama. The speech, delivered on 04/11/2008 at Chicago Grand Park, has been heralded in many quarters as the ultimate pinnacle of the hope rhetoric upon which Mr. Obama’s presidential ambition blossomed. The US former president is particularly so adept at wordplay that he makes the most mundane of things sound interesting and significant. Compared to earlier rhetoric, former president George W. Bush differently carves his 2002 state of the union address in which he successfully addresses issues of national importance.
In 2002, the second year of his regime, President Bush delivered his memorable State of the Union address in Washington D.C., on 29/01. This famous rhetoric was on the backdrop of the presidency having sanctioned airstrikes and retaliatory military action in Afghanistan on 07/08/ 2001, in response to the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York. The onslaught by the U.S. soldiers had lasted five days. Bush was probably feeling rather pleased with himself for he had finally hit back against the Al Qaeda, the supposed terrorist organization believed to have carried out one of the most devastating terrorist attacks ever on U.S. soil. The session was presided over by the House Speaker (Dennis Hastert) and attended by Congressmen. In his speech, President Bush delved into the disillusionment felt by those left behind by victims of terrorist acts while remarkably managing to come out on the other side with renewed optimism, which was reciprocated and applauded by his audience. His impressive rhetoric carried him through an otherwise awkward and delicate subject, especially given that some of the audience were directly affected by the same things his government was fighting.
President Bush’s 2002 speech is an example of ceremonial rhetoric, also referred to as epideictic rhetoric. This rhetoric marks some triumph or success but may still be used to persuade or dissuade the audience. Bush’s speech included mentions of victories, promise, and colorful language, that was punctuated by several rounds of applause from excited listeners at intervals.
‘Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation.’ (Bush. G.)
It was a statement intended to impress an audience that he knew very well consisted m...