Rhetorical Analysis Of Reagan's Ethos

Reagan’s use of ethos, logos, and pathos bring comfort and validation to the American people. Reagan wants to personally relate to the people of America and comfort them. President Reagan presents himself as caring by empathizing with our nation. Reagan says:
I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: Your dedication and professionalism have moved an impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it. (6)
He wants to reach out to people and thank them personally for helping. Reagan also relates to the people because they both share the anguish of losing someone or something. Reagan proceeds to say, “I’ve always had great faith in and respect
He convinces us that the program will live on by stating he has faith and respect for NASA. The way Reagan relates and confidently assures that NASA will stand strong makes people believe what he is saying. Reagan also evokes sympathetic emotions by mourning the loss of seven crewmembers with us. Reagan declares, “We mourn their loss as a nation together” (2). This explains that together as a nation we will stand with each other. Ronald Reagan continues to relate to us, which leads us to be comforted by his words. Reagan and his wife Nancy are deeply saddened; “Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle challenger” (1). Both Nancy and Ronald are both affected by this unexpected tragedy along with everyone watching the aircraft go up in smoke. This part of the speech achieved the purpose of appealing to the audiences’ emotions by Reagan mourning with the nation. Reagan argues that these seven crewmembers are brave and that they didn’t die for nothing. Reagan articulates that, “They wished to serve, and they did” (3). Those crewmembers were trying to advance knowledge and technology for us. They served us, and because of this they