Exploring Classical and Contemporary Conception of Ethos Applied Case-The Rhetorical Ethos of President George W. Bush

Abstract

EXPLORING CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTIONS OF ETHOS APPLIED CASE-THE RHETORICAL ETHOS OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH By Bobby J. Antrobus, M.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005 Major Director: Dr. James J. Kinney Professor, Department of English By exploring classical and contemporary conceptions of rhetorical ethos, this thesis assembles theories of analysis and then applies them in the form of rhetorical analysis of the rhetorical ethos exhibited by President George W. Bush in his presidential speeches. The theoretical investigation reveals the extensive use of the ethical appeal in all manner of rhetorical situations in the contemporary world but especially focuses on how political rhetoric has come to rely predominantly on this persuasive appeal.