Milan Johnson

Mrs. Crandall

AP Language

1 August 2019

Rhetorical Analysis- Bush’s Address to the Nation

Soon after the sun rose on September 11, 2001 in New York City, America was destined

to be left tragically shocked, unspeakably emotional, and heart broken. Following the events and

vigorous attacks of that unexpected morning, President George W. Bush presented a brave and

prideful speech. This was a day that would never be forgotten and touched many lives as

America was abruptly shaken. In the “9/11 Address to the Nation” Bush took use of a number of

rhetorical strategies as he elaborated on the strength of his country while maintaining sympathy

for all of the citizens who were startled and frightened. Imagery, pathos, compare and contrast,

and cause and effect shape the speech and create effect. These various rhetorical strategies aid

the speaker to let the citizens of America know that although the nation was precipitously rattled,

America would cultivate its robust and overcome the large amount of “despicable acts of terror”

(5).

In the beginning of this moderately short but powerful speech, Bush begins to lay out the

rhetorical cause and effect of this “mass murder” (8). The speaker states the cause to have been

the attempt to try to tear America apart: “These acts... were intended to frighten our nation into

cause and retreat” (7-8). This statement implies knowledge of the specific cause as it is intended

to let America know that this is what the terrorists tried to accomplish, but they have mistaken

themselves. Although this deadly attack had “filled us with” a manifold of “disbelief [and]
terrible sadness” (7), the effect will leave some broken, but the immense country of America will

build and become stronger as one. Bush’s vivid and descriptive definition as well as language

provoke feelings as well as project imagery to the reader or listeners as he or she eloquently

analyzes the circumstances of that day. As the speaker discusses the incident, his tone remains

serious, sincere, and reassuring. This portrays that Bush has a firm, courageous, and assuring yet

heartfelt approach.

Towards the middle of the speech, Bush begins to initiate an informative and insuring

tone. This tone is devised as the speaker renovates the American citizens on how the

government, emergency responders, and military is and will continue to function. Bush also

utilizes a reoccurring topic that shines through every part of the speech. It is the reoccurring

message that America is strong, the strongest, and or powerful: “they cannot dent the steel of

American resolve” (12). As bush creates several analogies, comparing America to steel, it is

being inferred that America is as vigorous as the strong, durable, and heavy-duty metal of steel.

Approaching the end of the speech, the speaker compares America and its colleagues to

those who do not yearn for reconciliation and accord. Bush says, “America our friends and allies

join with all those” who have a desire for “peace and security in the world” (32-33). This

proclamation ensures that Bush’s country of America will take necessary precautions to achieve

peace and “win the war against terrorism” (34). The country of America is compared and

contrasted to those countries who portray links to terrorism and destruction contrasting that

America is a country that hankers freedom and human rights. As the speech comes to a closing,

Bush analyzes the feelings of “all those who grieve” as well as the children’s sense of “safety

and security” that have been exposed (35-36). As he continues, a strong sense of emotion is

portrayed to the reader and or listener as this use of pathos is intended for a sense of compassion
and grief. Lastly, the speaker ends with a motivating and inspirational quote, furthering the

sense of emotion and promoting a sense of pride and unity for all Americans as a whole.

In conclusion, all of the rhetorical strategies used throughout this speech have made it

excellently comprehendible as it has clearly stated and elaborated on the purpose and message.

Although is isn’t a lengthy speech, it goes to allow a clearer understanding while being moderate

and to the point. This historically significant speech serves as an example for other speeches that

may come and that may have followed that horrendous day. The morning of that horrid day as

well as the “911 Address to the Nation” will be a date and time in history that will never be

forgotten as it was a building block for all speeches and the country of America.
 Works Cited

Eidenmuller, Michael E. “911 Address to the Nation .” George W. Bush - Address to the Nation
on 9-11-01 - The Rhetoric of 9/11, 11 Sept. 2017,
americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbush911addresstothenation.htm.