Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, paying close attention to audience and purpose; appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos; tone, and connotation of words. In a 300 to 350-word response
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In his speech
commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, President Reagan's
audience was primarily made up of veterans and family members of those who
fought in World War II, as well as the citizens of both the United States and
France. His purpose was to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought
in the Normandy invasion and to underscore the importance of the alliance
between the United States and France.
President
Reagan's speech was marked by strong appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos. He
opened his speech with a tribute to the veterans, saying, "We stand on a
lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France. The air is soft, but
forty years ago at this moment, the air was dense with smoke and the cries of
men, and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of
cannon," (Ronald, 1984). This opening immediately establishes his ethos as
a fellow citizen who reveres the sacrifices made by these veterans.
The pathos in
his speech is also evident in his heartfelt tribute to the veterans, saying,
"These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the
cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the
heroes who helped end a war." His words clearly evoke emotion in his
audience and convey his gratitude and admiration for their sacrifices.
Logos is also
present in his speech as he makes a strong case for the importance of the
alliance between the United States and France, saying, "Our two nations
knew that there was no substitute for victory. We understood that no one who
lived in freedom could truly rest until all the world was free," (Ronald, 1984).
This statement clearly outlines the strategic importance of the Normandy
invasion and how it helped secure freedom for both nations.
Throughout the
speech, President Reagan's tone is solemn and reverential, emphasizing the
gravity of the sacrifices made by the soldiers. He also uses words with a
positive connotation, such as "champions" and "heroes" to honour
the veterans and their accomplishments. Overall, President Reagan's speech was
a powerful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the
Normandy invasion, as well as a reminder of the importance of the alliance
between the United States and France.
Reference
Reagan, R. (1984, June 6). Address at the Ceremony Commemorating the 40th
Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. American Rhetoric.
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreagannormandyanniversary.htm
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