Analysis
Here are the elements which will help you with your analysis of Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech.
The rhetorical situation is that the speaker is Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States. The audience is formed of members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom who attended the speech, as well as people who listened to it being broadcast.
When it comes to composition, Reagan’s speech can be split into five parts, according to the topics he addresses. Reagan uses elements that are typical of a political speech to capture the attention of his audience.
Reagan’s style of language is formal and suits the political context of the speech. However, Reagan also uses figurative language and a few metaphors that enhance the meaning of his words.
Some of the rhetorical devices used by Reagan are direct address, rhetorical questions, antithesis, and humor. Some of the rhetorical devices are meant to invite Western leaders to get involved in the quest to defend democracy, while others are meant to entertain and ease tension.
When it comes to forms of appeal, Reagan uses pathos, ethos, and logos to engage his audience. Ethos highlights the political credibility of the United States, pathos makes the audience feel connected on an emotional level, while logos supports Reagan’s prediction that the Soviet Union will collapse.
You can read a full analysis of the speech on the following pages.
