Elizabeth David
Advanced Technical Communications: Paper Assignment #1
February 27, 2012

On January 11, 1989 President Ronald Reagan gave his Farewell Address to the Nation from the Oval Office in The White House. The speech was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television. He had served our country for 8 years and now it was time for George Bush to take office. He used his 34th and final speech as president to not only bid the nation farewell but also to give thanks to the American people. He shares with America his experience as the U.S President and ensures that he could not have made the changes he made without the nation’s help. The speech is deliberative. His goal is to be sure to persuade the people that America is a
“If we’re to finish the job, Reagan’s regiments will have to become the Bush brigades. Soon he’ll be the Chief, and he’ll need you every bit as much as I did.” With this statement he seems to be genuine in letting the people know that it doesn’t stop here and that George Bush is going to need their continued support in leading the country during his term as well. . He also stated, “I went into politics in part to put up my hand and say, Stop. I was a citizen politician, and it seemed the right thing for a citizen to do.” In other words he made it clear that even in his presidency; he has always been an American at heart. Who better to have run a country than a citizen who has everyone’s best interest at hand? And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do. This is his way of attempting to keep the American pride and history going. He wants to be sure that every American understands what being an American is all about.
The speech was a plain style speech. Overall the content of the speech is easy to understand. It is simple and straight forward so that it can appeal to Americans of most ages which I feel was what Reagan wanted.
Overall I feel the speech was very effective. In the