Rhetorical Analysis

Your assignment is as follows: Research one of the following famous moments of persuasion and then describe the circumstances of the appeal; what the historical situation was, what issues were at stake, what the purpose of the address was, and what made the particular speech memorable. 1. Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” (1863) {The turning point of the American Civil War, a reaffirmation of core Union values} 2. Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s draft of the “Declaration of Sentiments” for the Seneca Falls Convention {A key statement of principles and arguments for women’s rights} 3.Franklin Roosevelt’s inaugural address (1933) {An attempt by a new president to give Americans hope during the Great Depression} 4.Winston Churchill’s addresses to the British people during the early stages of World War II (1940) {An attempt to rally a nation against a Nazi military onslaught threatening Britain} 5.Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963) {An attempt to remind white Christian leaders of the religious roots of the civil rights movement and to defend the principles of nonviolent civil disobedience} 6.Ronald Reagan’s tribute to the Challenger astronauts (1986) {A eulogy for the astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle and an argument for continuing space exploration} 7.George Bush’s speech to Congress following 9/11 terrorist attacks (2001) {An argument for resolve in the face of danger, an affirmation of American values and strength, and a warning to terrorist groups and other governments} Format: Use your Everything’s An Argument textbook as a guide to writing your rhetorical analysis (see p.129). Your responses must be at least 2 pages, double-spaced in 12 point font. Please cite all sources in MLA format. Please use your handbook as an MLA formatting guide If you do not cite your source, your paper WILL NOT be graded.