A Time for Choosing (“The Speech”) Ronald Reagan Sarah Allmon

Speaker Ronald Reagan He was 53 years old at the time At the time he was an actor and a journalist He was a TV host of The General Electric Theater for 8 years Future Governor of California (1966) Future 41st President of the United States

Occasion The occasion was Reagan showing his support for Barry Goldwater, who was running for president. It was also an occasion which helped Reagan to gain much popularity and he discusses his change of political party to Republican. “Berry Goldwater thinks we can.” “We will keep in mind and remember that Barry Goldwater has faith in us.” “I have spent most of my life as a Democrat. I recently have seen fit to follow another course.”

Audience The speech was televised as well as broadcasted on radio. It was listened to and viewed by the people of the United States. The speech was also given to a live audience

Purpose The purpose of Reagan’s speech was to endorse Barry Goldwater. Reagan’s speech shows his personal support for Goldwater and backs up his support with facts as well as subtle persuasion for the audience to support Goldwater as well.

Subject The subject of the speech is the issues that they faced as Americans at the time. The speech focused on issues such as national debt, contrasting views of “the freedoms that were intended for us by the Founding Fathers.”, and self government. Reagan discusses the issues and his personal opinion and his support of what Goldwater intends to do on the issues.

Tone The tone of the speech is professional throughout the speech as he is discussing important issues. The tone is also persuasive as he endorses Barry Goldwater and gives reasons why American voters should support him as well. The tone is also charismatic as he is speaking without a script but he speaks gracefully with smooth transitions. “The sponsor has been identified, but unlike most television programs, the performer hasn't been provided with a script. As a matter of fact, I have been permitted to choose my own words…” “We have 15 billion dollars in gold in our treasury; we don't own an ounce. Foreign dollar claims are 27.3 billion dollars. And we've just had announced that the dollar of 1939 will now purchase 45 cents in its total value.” “In addition, was Barry Goldwater so irresponsible when he suggested that our government give up its program of deliberate, planned inflation, so that when you do get your Social Security pension, a dollar will buy a dollar's worth, and not 45 cents worth?”

Ethos Ethos – Automatic ethos is established because he is known for being an actor and a journalist at the time. Also ethos is established by the way he is introduced. “Ladies and gentlemen, we take pride in presenting a thoughtful address by Ronald Reagan”

Pathos Pathos – Reagan appeals to pathos throughout the speech by making the audience picture what he is talking about which evokes the emotion in his speech. “I wonder who among us would like to approach the wife or mother whose husband or son has died in South Vietnam and ask them if they think this is a peace that should be maintained indefinitely.”

Logos Logos – Reagan appeals to logic by stating facts throughout his speech so the American public truly understands what he is talking about because it is logical to trust the statistics which he is stating. “Today, 37 cents out of every dollar earned in this country is the tax collector's share” “We haven't balanced our budget 28 out of the last 34 years.”

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpW5i_lftCI

Conclusion In conclusion Ronald Reagan, appeals to the American public logistically by stating facts to support his opinion and his endorsement of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. Reagan speaks to show his political support for Goldwater as well as to showcase his own views on issues of the United States. While he is endorsing Goldwater he also discusses things related to him such as his recent switch from being Democratic to Republican.

Citations http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/reagan1964.jpg http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Ronald-Reagan.jpg http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/slovault/files/2008/09/reagan-goldwater.jpg http://redmillennial.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/reagan-a-time-for-choosing1.jpg http://www.nuthouse.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ronald-reagan-with-barry-goldwater.jpg