Words of crisis as words of power : the jeremiad in American presidential speeches / Marta Neüff, Humboldt University of Berlin.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The volume explores crisis rhetoric in contemporary U.S. American presidential speechmaking. Rhetorical leadership constitutes an inherent feature of the modern presidency. Particularly during times of critical events, the president is expected to react and address the nation. However, the power of the office also allows him or her to direct attention to particular topics and thus rhetorically create or exploit the notion of crisis. This monograph examines the verbal responses of George W. Bush and Barack Obama to pressing issues during their terms in office. Assuming an interdisciplinary approach, it illuminates the characteristics of modern crisis rhetoric. The aim of the book is to show that elements of Puritan rhetoric, and specifically the tradition of the jeremiad, although taken out of their original context and modified to suit a modern multiethnic society, can still be detected in contemporary political communication. It will be of interest to students and scholars of presidential rhetoric, political communication, sociolinguistics and cultural studies"-- Provided by publisher.

Intro; Words of Crisis as Words of Power; Editorial page; Title page; LCC data; Table of contents; Acknowledgements; List of tables; List of figures; 1. Introduction; 2. The rhetorical presidency, presidential crisis rhetoric, and the American jeremiad; 2.1 The rhetorical presidency; 2.1.1 Presidential power to persuade; 2.1.2 Traditional and modern presidency; 2.2 Presidential crisis rhetoric; 2.2.1 Presidential crisis rhetoric as a genre; 2.2.2 Narrating crisis: Metaphors, myths, and intertextuality; 2.2.3 Metaphor and crisis: How do metaphors function?; 2.2.4 Othering.

2.3 The American jeremiad2.3.1 The American jeremiad: America's first distinct genre; 2.3.2 Biblical vs. American jeremiad: The mythology of mission; 2.3.3 The myth of American exceptionalism as root of the civil-religious jeremiad; 2.3.4 Civil religion and presidential rhetoric in times of crisis; 2.3.5 How do jeremiads function? Constructing a narrative between hope and fear; 2.3.6 Conclusions and working definitions: Modern jeremiads and jeremiadic speech; 3. Crisis rhetoric and the tradition of the jeremiad in 21st century U.S. American Presidential speechmaking.

3.1 9/11 as New American jeremiad?: Analysis of President George W. Bush's speeches following the September 11 terrorist attacks3.1.1 Contextualization of the events; 3.1.1.1 Media, 9/11, and war; ; 3.1.2 Analysis of George W. Bush's speeches following the September 11 attacks; 3.1.2.1 G.W. Bush: remarks at Emma E. Booker Elementary School on Sept. 11, 2001, 9:30 a.m. and 9/11 remarks at Barksdale Air Force Base on Sept. 11, 2001, 1:04 p.m.; 3.1.2.2 G.W. Bush: Address to the Nation, Oval Office, White House, Ư Washington D.C., September 11, 8:30 p.m.

3.1.2.3 G.W. Bush: Speech at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony, National Cathedral, September 14, 20013.1.2.4 G.W. Bush: Address to a Joint Session of Congress following the 9/11 attacks, Washington D.C., September 20, 2001; 3.1.2.5 G.W. Bush: Presidential Address to the Nation, Treaty Room, White House, Washington D.C., October 7, 2001; 3.1.2.6 G.W. Bush: State of the Union Address, U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., January 29, 2002; 3.1.2.7 G.W. Bush: Presidential Address to the Nation, Oval Office, White House, Washington D.C., March 19, 2003.

3.1.3 Conclusions on President George W. Bush's post 9/11 crisis rhetoric3.2 Presidential speeches in times of environmental disaster: Analysis of President George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's environmental crisis speeches; 3.2.1 Contextualization of the events; 3.2.1.1 Environmental jeremiads in the United States; 3.2.2 Analysis of President George W. Bush's speeches on Hurricane Katrina; 3.2.2.1 G.W. Bush: President outlines Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, Rose Garden, White House, August 31, 2005.

Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on June 21, 2018).

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