Need 3 discusson boards answered

!st DB From Olivia Smith

What is this speech’s topic?

The topic of Ronald Reagan’s speech is America’s moral and spiritual status.

What is the speech’s thesis or main point?

The Thesis of Ronald Reagan’s speech is that if America loses the sense of morality that makes it great at present, the country will cease to be great and will fall into ruin.

What in the speech, if anything, suggests the speaker (or his speech writers) had analyzed the audience and adapted the speech to its needs?

Ronald Reagan speech about America’s moral and spiritual status, performed at The Annual Convention of The National Association of Evangelicals, shows that the speech was tailored to a Christian audience.

Did the speaker use effective and relevant material to support the speech’s thesis?

Ronald Reagan quoted the words of many of the Founding Fathers including Abraham Lincoln when he stated, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go” (Reagan, 2009). These choices for quotation demonstrated how the leaders at the founding of our country and throughout the nation’s history, shared reverence for Christian spirituality. This linked effectively to Ronald Reagan’s main point, that we should not deviate from our founding, and cast aside our spiritual legacy under the pressure of modern secularism.

Was the speech effectively organized?

Ronald Reagan’s speech was effectively organized. There was no hesitation as he flawlessly spoke a number of quotes, stories, and statistics.

Did the speaker use clear, interesting, and accurate language?

Ronald Reagan’s language was effective, precise, and clear. His words were intentional and appropriate for the gravity of the speech topic.

Was the quality of the speaker’s voice acceptable?

Ronald Reagan is known for his command of spoken communication. He maintained a tone in keeping with the seriousness of his speech subjects.

Were the speaker’s movements and gestures meaningful and effective?

Ronald Reagan, a man with an acting background, was able to utilize his body language to project an appropriately sober and serious tone.

DB2 From Daniel Bullies

1. The topic of this speech was for President Reagan to voice that there is a lack of morality around the globe, but that America will not succumb to the west and their beliefs of totalitarianism. Reagan wants to inspire further actions and prayers of the Evangelicals and all Americans to continue to drive America into a "spiritual awakening".

2. The main point that Reagan shares through his speech to this group is that the administration supports their continued efforts and shares their belief in the importance of faith, family and practices of religion being sacred without discrimination. Reagan states multiple times during the speech that without religion and righteousness, freedom and liberty cannot be maintained. The speech is his way of communicating the need for more citizens to speak out and pray for for America in the trying times of such social change and that the National Association of Evangelicals is a key part of the strength our country has to fight against communist beliefs in the west and other locations around the world.

3. Throughout the speech, Reagan makes many references to historical figures whom have made statements supporting that God is the foundation of this country. Even in his opening remarks, he set a relaxed and humbled tone with the "Christian Friendly" jokes and stories he chose to speak of to the group. Reagan made a clear effort to set this type of tone in order for the audience to feel connected and open to the mission he was laying before them during the speech.

4. The word choice of the speech writers, or President Reagan (more than likely speech writers), effectively communicated the correct tone, approach, and inspiration that was needed for this message to this particular audience. The common terms of "principles, morality, righteousness and God" all are hot points that placed emphasis, in a positive manner, on Reagan's connection to this particular audience. The timing was also intentional during this speech. After stating that he was not going to give up on the west and trying to get them to see the importance of religion in government and education, Reagan emphatically announced, " They need to be made to understand that we will NEVER compromise our principles and standards. We will NEVER give up our freedom, and we will NEVER abandon our belief in God". With this moving, energetic moment, Reagan was rallying this group behind his cause and effectively communicating his message.

5. Reagan's speech was effectively organized in order to gain the trust of the audience, provide examples, such as Planned Parenthood Clinics, addressing the starvation of an infant in violation of federal law and raising awareness to the rights of parents in their own homes. Then he reasoned solutions and that there were better things to come if America could hold on to its faith and morality, instead of giving into the rights of the ones fighting the sanctity of human life. Reagan's speech built up from a string foundation and left the people of the audience with a clear cut message of support and mission from his administration.

6.Reagan spoke clearly, confidently and from his point of view, as well as the point of view of others such as Jefferson, one of our founding fathers in our nation. Again, the language used repetitively being "religion, freedom, liberty, God, and righteousness", allowed the connotation from the speech to be what was intended upon this specific audience of Evangelicals.

7.Reagan spoke softly, calmly, and with a humbleness that communicated appreciation for the Evangelicals in the beginning. The volume and intensity increased slowly throughout the speech, which was paced to allow the audience to react when he felt they would, in applause of course. Towards the end, his tone and volume was commanding and directional with intent towards the group in order communicate the confidence he had in the Evangelicals and Americans to embrace the spiritual awakening in America and fight communism and totalitarianism.

8. Reagan remained poised the entire speech and maintained impeccable eye contact with his audience. He did not need to use his hands or flail about; he spoke with such intention at every turn with complimenting facial expressions and head tilts to solidify his points. There was never a moment where you did not feel as if he was talking to the most important group of people ever, all at once, as if they were the same person. When he did make a glance down at the notes, it was so well timed, that it made you listen more closely, as it was going to be great, factual information to support his message.

DB3 From Taylor Burnham

1. The topic of the speech is keeping God in the ideologies of the United States. Raegan is not in agreement with the Soviet Union and how they don’t incorporate God into their decisions.

2. The main point of this speech is that we must continue to incorporate God in order to achieve liberty and a successful democracy. The United States has trusted God before and it has worked, Raegan is pushing the US to continue.

3. He used references to God and directed the speech towards being a little religious which shows that the writer of the speech adapted it to the audience. The speech was even tailored towards the National Association of Evangelicals for a second when he thanked them for their actions and prayers.

4. Yes, President Raegan cites a few quotes from our founding fathers that are religious to show that God has played a big role in government decisions and our liberty. He uses these quotes to prove that by incorporating God into our freedom, we are doing better than the Soviet Union. These quotes put even more emphasis on the speech thesis.

5. Ronald Raegan had the speech organized very well. The way he started by showing his gratitude for being there and then going into a personal story. Before he goes into his main points, he makes his audience feel comfortable. On top of making them feel comfortable, it also made them trust him a little more since he made it personable.

6. Yes, I feel that President Raegan used clear, interesting and accurate language. Words such as “Eloquently, shrewdest, inalienable and secularism.” He was really prepared to give this speech and by using these words it kept the audience intrigued. If he wouldn’t have used these words, his speech may not have had the same effect.

7. The quality was as good as it could be for the time that the speech was given. The recording device at the time is not what we have today, but even so the quality was pretty good. He spoke loud and clear which made it easier to listen to his message. He also wasn’t monotone the entire time.

8. Reagan spent most of the speech looking around and making a lot of eye contact with his audience. This is an important aspect when determining trustworthiness in someone. His hands gestures weren’t too much, it added emphasis to his message.