Silent Majority
English 1613.010
March 25, 2011 Nixon’s Silent Voice In a nation divided by war in 1969, Richard Nixon delivered a speech with the hope that it would bring Americans together. At this time the American people stood divided on their views on the war. Many people wanted to withdraw from the war and many people supported the war in the quest for peace. The Vietnam War had already been going on for quite some time when Nixon came into office. Nixon was the second youngest president; he came to office in 1969 as the 37th president of the United States. (Sheppard) The goal of his speech was to unite the nation as he pursued the war and to try to win peace. Americans were divided among going to war and ending the war for peace. The tone of the speech, use of questions, and the use of anecdotes along with other rhetorical appeals such as facts, ethos, and pathos make this speech effective in persuading the audience in his quest for freedom in Vietnam. Nixon’s speech makes a direct address to the people when Nixon says, “My fellow Americans.” Nixon wrote this speech with the acknowledgement that the war was of great concern to many Americans. The word “fellow” sets an inclusive tone to his speech. Fellow, a word that suggests unity makes the readers feel as if they are equal to the president; because of this tone Nixon in turn will receive the respect of the people by treating them equally. The American people can relate to the president better if they feel equal to him and not beneath him just because he is the president of the United States. By setting this tone from the beginning of the speech it catches the attention of his listeners. More specifically he addresses the peace loving and anti-war citizens of America. In order to appeal to this audience, Nixon makes it seem like he was with the public in the struggle for peace and not to just prolong the war without a plan. He attempted to achieve this goal by stating that he was not a supporter of the
March 25, 2011 Nixon’s Silent Voice In a nation divided by war in 1969, Richard Nixon delivered a speech with the hope that it would bring Americans together. At this time the American people stood divided on their views on the war. Many people wanted to withdraw from the war and many people supported the war in the quest for peace. The Vietnam War had already been going on for quite some time when Nixon came into office. Nixon was the second youngest president; he came to office in 1969 as the 37th president of the United States. (Sheppard) The goal of his speech was to unite the nation as he pursued the war and to try to win peace. Americans were divided among going to war and ending the war for peace. The tone of the speech, use of questions, and the use of anecdotes along with other rhetorical appeals such as facts, ethos, and pathos make this speech effective in persuading the audience in his quest for freedom in Vietnam. Nixon’s speech makes a direct address to the people when Nixon says, “My fellow Americans.” Nixon wrote this speech with the acknowledgement that the war was of great concern to many Americans. The word “fellow” sets an inclusive tone to his speech. Fellow, a word that suggests unity makes the readers feel as if they are equal to the president; because of this tone Nixon in turn will receive the respect of the people by treating them equally. The American people can relate to the president better if they feel equal to him and not beneath him just because he is the president of the United States. By setting this tone from the beginning of the speech it catches the attention of his listeners. More specifically he addresses the peace loving and anti-war citizens of America. In order to appeal to this audience, Nixon makes it seem like he was with the public in the struggle for peace and not to just prolong the war without a plan. He attempted to achieve this goal by stating that he was not a supporter of the
Cited: Nixon, Richard M. “The Great Silent Majority." American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. "Richard Nixon." Wikipedia, Web. 03 Apr. 2011. Sheppard. "The 37th US President - Richard Nixon." Sheppard Software. Web. 03 Apr. 2011.