36396 -6- Pages - Within 24Hrs

COMM 3325

Prof. Abigail Koenig

10/20/2018

1. What is the event or rhetorical moment I will be analyzing and why.

During his Presidency, Ronald Reagan used a consistent rhetorical attack against the Soviet Union and Communism, especially in his Brandenburg Gate and the Evil Empire speeches. Reagan’s strategic and effective use of rhetoric ultimately triggered the fall of the Berlin wall followed by the collapse of Soviet Union, ending the Cold War era. My paper will explore the significance of President Reagan’s rhetorical attacks on the Soviet Union, the cultural history behind it, the current events that fed in to it, and why President Reagan chose the rhetorical techniques and strategies he used so effectively in some of the most famous rhetorical artifacts in history. I chose this topic because I watched the Brandenburg Gate speech live on TV, and I’m passionate about it because of my connection with Reagan’s ideology of American ideals and exceptionalism.

2. What methods of evaluation will I be looking for?

Referring to the four methods of evaluation that are discussed in Chapter 11, I will be evaluating President Reagan’s rhetorical artifacts for all four standards. His Cold War rhetoric demonstrated all four standards; moral (it was powerful), accuracy (it was problem solving), response (it was pragmatic) and artistic (it was poetic).

3. What 8 sources will I be examining?

I have identified more than 15 quality sources including communication journals and news media sources. Below are eight of those sources:

Sources

‘Tear down this wall’: How Reagan’s forgotten line became a defining moment