Public Address Speech Analysis Paper Example: President George W Bush's Address

The speech is by George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States of American in response to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The speech was made the oval office, in the White House.

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September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks brought one of the largest magnitudes of grief, physical destruction, and psychological destruction, ever to have been experienced in the United States. Studies have revealed that about three thousand people were killed and about ten thousand people injured in the terrorist attacks. The terrorist attacks triggered initiatives by the United States to combat terrorism, initiatives that up to this day, define George W. Bushs presidency. The speech has multiple audiences. The primary audiences of the speech are citizens of the United States. The Secondary audiences of the speech are terrorist organizations and citizens of other countries.

The speech is structured in such a manner that in the first part, it shows empathy to victims of the terrorist attacks but also assures the United States citizens that normalcy will return. In the second part, the speaker reveals his resolve to fight terrorism and ensure that such events do not take place in future. The speaker quotes Psalm 23: 4 to condole victims of the terrorist attacks. The information is adequate to meet the needs of the audience. Strategies that are used by the speaker to meet needs of the audience is showing empathy to victims of the attacks, assuring United States citizens that the country is more united than ever and finally, revealing a new resolve by the United States government to combat terrorism.

One goal of the speaker is to preach hope among Americans in the face of the tragedy. The other goal of the speaker is to assure United States citizens that the government would do all it takes to fight the menace of terrorism. The other goal of the speaker is to send a warning message to terrorist organizations that the United States government will destroy them.

The event was successful. The speaker explains to the United States citizens that the country was targeted by terrorist organizations because it is a beacon of hope and freedom in the world. The speaker explains to the United States citizens that despite being victims of the terrorist attacks, the United States responded to the attacks with care and solidarity. The speaker reassures Americans of the strength of their government by stating that the United States has a powerful military and its emergency teams are vibrant and ready for any catastrophe as manifested by the way they deftly responded to the attacks. The speaker explains to the audience that the United States government will ensure that its citizens are protected from further terrorist attacks. The speaker allays fears among United States citizens by stating that federal institutions and financial institutions will continue to operate normally despite the terrorist attacks.

The language and emotion that is used in the speech are diverse. At one point, the speaker displays empathy for family and friends of the terrorist attacks victims. When explaining how thousands of lives were suddenly brought to an end by terrorism, the speaker becomes animated. The speaker displays a disapproving tone when he describes how the terrorist attacks were conducted. The speaker uses an encouraging tone when he states that terrorist attacks cannot destroy the foundations of America. The speaker uses an inspirational tone when he states that acts of terrorism cannot dent the resolve of American people. At another point, the speaker displays firmness and toughness to terrorist organizations.

The speaker is successful in establishing an appropriate tone. His tone varies from polite when sharing his empathy with victims of the terrorist attacks to toughness and firmness when showing his new resolve to fight terrorism.

Reference

Bush, G.W. (2001). President George W. Bush - Terrorists Attacks On September 11, 2001. USA Patriotism. Retrieved on March 29, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFxDluApbuE