Many will never forget the feeling of what it was like to go through the horrible and devastating event on September 11, 2001, and others will never have to know what it truly felt like during the time span that it did. In George W. Bush’s speech, “Address to the Nation on the Terrorist Attacks”, President at the time, Bush sends a message out to every American later that day at eight thirty p.m. In order for Bush to keep everyone contained and away from any more danger, he gives this speech and tries to answer everybody’s questions such as, “What is happening next?” or “Is this the end of the world?” in a mannerly fashion. Obviously not knowing exactly what would happen next to America, Bush skillfully uses persuasive devices to ensure every one of their safety at the time.

One of the first things Bush does in his speech is set the tone. He wants to make the people feel as safe as possible considering the circumstances and the only way he can do that is by being honest. Since America was in panic and had no idea what to expect next, Bush reassures them in a calming way that everything will be okay. He reassures them first about saying, “Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks” (Lines 25-27). He also sounds determined to not only make sure that the country is safe, but also that no more violence and attacks will happen and kill innocent people. He wants to let the people know that the whole world is not against them, but in fact a lot of countries are with them. He expresses this to the people when he says, “America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism” (Lines 40-41). By including other countries and making people understand that this will be resolved, Bush’s determination helps calm the nation’s anxiety about what could happen next. At the very end of his speech, Bush once again reassures the people about their safety and how, “America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time” (Lines 48-49).

Another way Bush comforts the nation is through simple syntax. In the beginning he uses short sentences such as, “Moms and Dads” (Line 5) and “Friends and neighbors” (Line 5) referring to those who lost their lives in the terrible incident. Bush uses this technique to not only make people realize that it wasn’t just people who died, but that they also had families and friends. Although he makes it more depressing emphasizing that they had lives and others out there grieving over their lost ones, there is a tone shift later on. Once he starts talking about why there was an attack in the first place, he says, “But they have failed. Our country is strong” (Line 11). This shows his feelings about the attack and how he is determined and will find a way to fight back. With that being said, he also mentions, “Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared” (Line 22). His short and simple statements have great effectiveness on his speech and it allows the people to feel safer and more understanding of the situation. 

To further more comfort the people, he connects with them using the propaganda technique of bandwagon. He repeatedly uses the words “I” and most of all “we” and “are” to make the nation feel as a whole and as a family who is all suffering together. In the quote, “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world” (Lines 16 and 17), Bush makes them feel proud for being American and how there are others out there who are jealous of the American “freedom” and “opportunity” that they don’t get to have. Bush also uses biblical allusions to tranquilize many of the people and make it more personal. The first thing Bush asks the people for are prayers. He then includes himself and says, “And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.’” (Line 44-46). Any biblical reference will always make people feel relieved and calmer knowing that there is one Man who can protect them.  

In a short and understandable speech, Bush is able to control the environment with his calm and determined tone talking about the Nine Eleven devastation. Not only does this affect the nation mentally, it also affects it emotionally. Bush communicates with the people in an encouraging way through the use of literary techniques to enforce the security and safety of the nation. One of the quotes he ends his speech with is, “None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world” (Lines 50-51) which allows the country men and women to feel like they are at his level and he is just another American and not simply the President of the United States. 
