Essay 1

The state of the union address of 2001 was possibly the most important state of the union ever given by an American president. Only 9 days after the world trade center attacks America was devastated and needed direction. On September 20th, 2001 President George W. Bush gave a speech that would change America, using pathos as his main persuasive technique along with other rhetorical devices such as apostrophe, anaphora and alliteration he persuaded Americans to rebuild and fight back against terrorism.

The audience President Bush was talking to, he address’s in the very first line of his speech when he says, “Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Americans.” But the key to this opening line is the very last part, “Fellow Americans” because that really encompasses anyone and everyone who was affected by the 911 attacks. President Bush also address’s the audience as “my fellow citizens,” this helps the audience relate with the speaker, as if they are all on the same level. 

On more than one occasion President Bush uses the rhetorical device known as “apostrophe.” Apostrophe is what’s known as a sudden turn from the general audience to address a specific group or person.  In the 3rd paragraph President address’s the wife of the deceased passenger Todd beamer when he says, “And would you please help me welcome his wife Lisa Beamer here tonight?” By taking a pause in the very beginning of his speech and specifically pointing out the wife of a man who died to help others President Bush moved people out of compassion. Bush uses apostrophe again a little later in the speech when he specifically thanks the prime minister of Great Britain for flying all the way to America to show his support. This sentence by itself is entirely directed for the People of Great Britain. President Bush knew that we would need their military support and to get that we would need their compassion.