A rhetorical perspective is an approach to the study of human communication based on messages and meanings. It is concerned with the ways in which humans symbolically assign meaning to the world and with the ways in which they attempt to induce others to share those meanings. In response to the rhetorical perspective on the Nixon speech some of the perspective in focus will be the willingness of his speech to address the various situations during that time. Close analysis of the speech itself involves breaking down its rhetorical element in order to determine how speech as a strategic response to the exigencies of its context.
In his speech president Nixon use of logos is evident when he uses the statement to conclude on the topic of war. The statement he uses is quite open as he assures the American people on the war situation. He shows a lot of sympathy to the Americans whose families are in the war and assured them of peace and an end to the war. Though he clearly does not specify on the actions he will choose but uses his sympathetic cry so that people may understand him.
The Nixon speech covered mostly on the need for peace from the Vietnam War. In an intention to be seen in action Nixon reveals some of the initiatives they use to tone down the negativism of his regime. In the speech he mentions the funding of elections on the south East Asia state and assistance in creating of a democratic government to forge peace in their country.
In his speech Nixon uses his audience to pass the point forward in this statement where he says “I had to think of the effect of my decision on the next generation and on the future of peace and freedom in America and in the world.” In my point of view he uses this statement to prove himself worthy of the American people by providing promises that he may end up not keeping.
He uses exigencies such as the war and the relationship of the Americans and the Vietnam as a reason of the war. He describes the differences in policies that have caused such animosity and the beginning of the war. In his speech he tries to put focus on some fitting responses that have been under way to eliminate and help to bring peace in the war torn country.
President Nixon expresses his condolences to the American people whose relatives lost their lives in the war through this statement” There are powerful personal reasons I want to end this war. This week I will have to sign 83 letters to mothers, fathers, wives, and loved ones of men who have given their lives for America in Vietnam.” This shows pathos in the event of how he integrates his emotionally aware of the pain that his people are going through.
Forbes hill employed a neo Aristotelians to evaluate Nixon’s speech. Its primary goal was to evaluate a speech in terms of the degree to which it employed what Aristotle referred to as the available means of persuasion in attempting to achieve its goals. According to Hill, Nixon speech employed all of the available means of persuasion and thus he judged it as to be a good speech.”
If it does succeed, what the critics say now won't matter. If it does not succeed, anything I say then won't matter.” He uses this statement to make it clear that his failure should not be judged, and they should only remember the achievements in the future of America. The speech by Nixon made it relevant in that time but when taken through modern politics.
Works cited
John louis lucaites, celeste michelle condit, sally caudill. contemporary rhetorical theory: A reader revisioning rhetoric. guilford press, 1999.
Pauley, garth E. the modern presidency& civil rights: rhetoric on race from roosevelt to nixon: issue 3 of presidential rhetoric series. texas A&M University press, 2001.
http://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3873
