COMM 240: Homework Sheet - p. 1 of 2
COMM 240: PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION
HOMEWORK SHEET # __5__
Name: Phuong Chu Rhetoric: Emotional Response______________________
I. Context and Situation
-Rhetor?
President George W. Bush - president of the United States at that time
-Immediate and Intended Audience(s)?
Immediate: Anyone who heard his speech either in person or through some type of mass medium
Intended: Voters in America who have the ability to help pass an amendment to protect the definition of marriage as it stands
-Time/Place?
2004, The United States of America
-Occasion?
Civil rights activists were starting to push harder for marriage equality
II. Purpose
-What is the author's position?
Bush is strongly against legalized gay marriage.
-Themes?
Marriage has been defined as a union between a man and a woman. Activists are trying to destroy this value which has always been a part of our society. Children develop better and society is stronger when the family has parents that are a man and a woman.
Crowd in support of Gay Marriage
English: Map of same-sex marriage rights in New En...
Burning Bush-Requested Actions?
To vote for an amendment to permanently define marriage as being a union between a man and a woman so the states could not decide for themselves.
III. Rhetor
-Role of the rhetor?
Superior-to-Inferior
He speaks with a tone of authority and knowledge
-Linguistic tone?
Knowing, concerned, urgent
IV. Rhetorical Barriers and Advantages
-Barriers?
Audience-related - The gay people and supporters could look at this speech as an attack against them
Reputation of rhetor - Bush is well-known supporter of opposite sex marriage, and his opinion could be viewed as biased
-Advantages?
Culture - in 2004 gay rights were just starting to make headway and not a lot of people openly supported them
Belief - from a religious standpoint many people are against the idea of same-sex marriage
Complexity - the purpose...