Ronald Reagan's Ethos Pathos Logos

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American Tragedy Ronald Reagan is one of the best presidential speakers. Especially in “Speech on the Challenger Disaster.” Ronald Reagan’s use of ethos, logos, and pathos help to honor the seven astronauts, and unite the nation through the tragedy. President Reagan establishes his credibility and trustworthiness by using “I;” therefore, appealing to his own personality and experiences making him more credible. This example, “I know it’s hard, but painful things like this happen” (Paragraph 5), and “I have always had great respect for our space program, and what happened today did nothing to diminish it” (Paragraph 6). Ronald Reagan knows this situation is painful because he is an adult; adults experience many hardships, and know how to deal …show more content…
By addressing the mood of the nation, anguish, he wants the Americans to feel comforted by each other. Remembering the astronauts helps create bonds with each other, so Americans can hope to see them another time. He unites the Americans by addressing the feelings of anguish and hope; therefore, bonding us together with a common feeling. Reagan uses logos to logically persuade Americans that what the astronauts did was their choice, and pursued it with dignity. This example, “They were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their job brilliantly” (Paragraph 2), and “They wished to serve, and they did, they served all of us” (Paragraph 3). Ronald Reagan addresses the astronauts as doing their job brilliantly, and serving Americans because they are heroes. The astronauts are brave for following through despite all the dangers. Their service provided the space program with knowledge on how to go through on future missions safely. Reagan is trying to express that their sacrifice was not for nothing, and they will be remembered as heroes. Through Ronald Reagan’s effective use of Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals, Reagan aims to get his audience to honor and respect the seven astronauts, and help unite the

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