EthosEthos is the root of the word "ethical." That's right, the word relating to moral principles. Richard Nixon, the guy who resigned from the presidency because of a seriously messy wiretapping s...

There's No Structure Here, We're Just ChattingTo be honest, there's no clear and defining structure to Nixon's speech. There's a logical flow, and the speech was created with a goal in mind, but it...

Technically, this speech is called "President Nixon's Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam." But who cares about that title? This speech will always be remembered as Nixon's "The Great Silen...

Good evening, my fellow Americans.Tonight I want to talk to you on a subject of deep concern to all Americans and to many people in all parts of the world, the war in Vietnam. (1.1-2.1)As far as th...

As President I hold the responsibility for choosing the best path for that goal and then leading the nation along it.I pledge to you tonight that I shall meet this responsibility with all of the st...

(2) Sea LevelNixon is not trying to impress all you Shakespearean scholars out there by speaking in iambic pentameter whilst cradling a human skull a la Hamlet. No, this speech is for the average J...

In-Text ReferencesLiterary and Philosophical ReferencesThe U.S. Constitution (117.7)Historical and Political ReferencesCreighton Williams Abrams Jr. (82.1)"Communist" China (21.1)The Communists (28...

President Lyndon B. Johnson had a dog named Little Beagle Johnson. His wife was called Lady Bird. Notice a trend here? They all have the same initials. Even his children were given names with LBJ a...