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Example of Oral/Written Rhetoric
Rhetoric may change with circumstances or perceived
political gain. Still, the main purpose remains
to persuade or convince an audience to think,
believe, or act a certain way. Here is an example
of how the rhetoric associated with the Iraq war
changed with regard to the question of weapons
of mass destruction. Note that as the emphasis
on the characterization changes from weapons of
mass destruction to simply weapons, the point
that the speaker, President George W. Bush, would
convince us of is the justification for the invasion
of Iraq led by the United States.
Nov. 16, 2002
"Our goal is the disarmament of Iraq. . .
. The dictator of Iraq will give up his weapons
of mass destruction, or the United States will
lead a coalition to disarm him."
Mar. 19, 2003
"The people of the United States and our
friends and allies will not live at the mercy
of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with
weapons of mass murder," Bush said as the
invasion began.
Apr. 24, 2003
"(Saddam) tried to fool the United Nations
and did for 12 years by hiding these weapons.
And so it's going to take time to find them. .
. . But we know he had them. And whether he destroyed
them, moved them or hid them, we're going to find
out the truth."
May 29, 2003
"We discovered weapons manufacturing facilities
that were condemned by the United Nations."
Dec. 19, 2003
In an interview with ABC News/Primetime, Bush
dismissed the distinction between actually having
weapons and planning to acquire them. "So
what's the difference?" he asked in response
to a question about whether Iraq had weapons of
mass destruction or was just trying to acquire
them. "If he (Saddam) were to acquire weapons,
he would be the danger."
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