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Author Archives: Anonymous

Instructions: Read the two excerpts below. They were both de…

Instructions: Read the two excerpts below. They were both delivered by U.S. Presidents on the evening of a major national tragedy. Once you have finished reading, answer the questions that follow. Speech A: Ronald Reagan, Address to the Nation (Challenger Disaster, 1986) “Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d planned to speak to you tonight to report on the State of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.   We’ve grown used to wonders in this century. It’s hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We’ve grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we’ve only just begun. We’re still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.   And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle’s take-off. I know it’s hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them”.   Speech B: George W. Bush, Address to the Nation (September 11 Attacks, 2001) “Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.   These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.   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. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us… 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”.   Exam Questions Answer each question in the box provided, making sure to number each answer so that I can easily identify them.  Central Idea: In one clear sentence, identify the central idea of President Bush’s speech (Speech B). Rhetorical Devices: Choose one rhetorical device used by President Reagan in Speech A from the devices you learned about in this module only. Provide a direct quote of the device from the text. Explain in 2–3 sentences how this device helps Reagan comfort the “schoolchildren of America”. Comparative Reflection: Both speakers use Pathos to connect with their audience. However, their tones are slightly different because of the nature of the tragedies. In a 2 paragraph response, describe the tone of Speech A versus Speech B. Be sure to use at least 2 quotes from each when explaining the differences (4 quotes total).

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