Introducing Emotion: The Use of Emotion and Character in Presidential Speeches

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between truth and emotion in rhetoric with special focus on the opening moments of three speeches by American presidents. The first crucial moments of a speech are prime opportunities to appeal to the emotions of the audience, a practice which is arguably of dubious veracity. To counter this supposed fallacy, this paper explores three speeches where emotion is used truthfully and effectively. Given these results, the use of emotion in presidential rhetoric is seen to be not only permissible, but necessary to influencing one's audience.