Transcript Inaugurating the Presidency Kathleen Hall Jamieson & Karlyn Kohrs Campbell

Inaugurating the Presidency
Kathleen Hall Jamieson
&
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell
Characteristics of
Inaugural Addresses
• Epideictic
– Ceremonial
– Rite of passage
– Swear an oath
• Symbolic rather than substantive
– Transition
– “a new start”
• Transcending
– “addresses timely questions timelessly”
– Memorable phrases that resonate
– Can be said at many points throughout history almost verbatim
and remain rhetorically appropriate & significant
• Nostalgic
– Recall the past
• Theatrical/ Performative
– Employ a noble and dignified linguistic style
– Rehearsed rather than impromptu
• Employ explicit appeals for unity
– Patriotic duty
– Solidarity
• Speculate about the future
– Inspirational
Rhetorical Functions of
Inaugural Speeches
1) Unify the audience
– Assures those who did not vote for him that their
rights will be protected
– Eliminates divisiveness along party lines
– Assures solidarity in times of war, crisis, or
economic recession
2) Rehearse communal values
– Recollections from a shared past
• Memoria- use of the principles, policies, and presidencies of
the past
– Reconstitute community
• Unifies the audience and warrants present and future action
3) Set forth political philosophy that will govern the
new administration
– Incites Contemplation
• Amplifies admitted facts and tries to impress ideas upon the
audience without action as a goal
– Language of continuing principles
• Conservationism
• Preservation
• Maintainence
4) Demonstrate worthiness of the presidency and
recognize limitations of office
– Set forth executive initiatives while affirming the
balance of power
• References to God, Congress, and “the people”
– Manifest his ability to lead
Factors that affect audience
reception of the address
1)
Personal characteristics
of the speaker
2)
Political & economic
climate
3)
Medium through which
the speech is heard
4)
Weather