Document Type

Research Paper

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

This paper contributes to a deeper understanding about the nature of Cold War-era rhetoric and how President Ronald Reagan was able to utilize it to bring about the end of the Soviet era. To analyze this particular topic, I compared various academic explorations into what rhetoric devices defined the Cold War era and how President Reagan was able to craft a unique way to appeal to the people of both West and East Germany. Additionally, I consulted historians in the field of presidential speech to identify any rhetorical constructs employed through the speech. My research points to a positive correlation between using performative rhetoric to display visual forms of policy establishment and strategically using both civil and spiritual ideals to appeal to a mass audience. The research also asserts that use of similitude and comparative standards can help presidents establish a sense of both International and domestic favorability. The implications of this study could be used to further analyze how the precedent established by Reagan has influenced current war rhetoric and how presidents have formulated their speeches in such a manner.

Keywords

Performative rhetoric; utilitarian; Reagan; Cold War; Berlin Wall

Disciplines

Other Rhetoric and Composition | Rhetoric

File Format

pdf

File Size

131 KB

Language

English

Comments

The research paper itself and the reflective essay are both in Pdf format, while the cover sheet is in a doc. format. The bibliography is located in the same document as the research paper itself.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Allister Dias - Reflective Essay.pdf (43 kB)
Reflective essay about research process

Allister_Dias - calvert_student_cover_2023.docx (14 kB)


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