Read the excerpt from President Ronald Reagan’s speech on the night before the 1980 presidential election. I know that tonight the fate of America’s 52 hostages is very much on the minds of all of us. Like you, there is nothing I want more than their safe return—that they will be reunited with their families after this long year of imprisonment. When they have returned, all of us will be turning to the concerns that will determine the course of America in the next four years. A child born this year will begin his or her adult life in what will be the 21st century. What kind of country, what kind of legacy will we leave to these young men and women who will live out America’s third century as a nation? Which techniques does President Reagan use in this excerpt? Select three options.
- pathos
- ethos
- shift
- understatement
- overstatement
Answer:
- Pathos
- Ethos
- Overstatement.
Explanation:
As per the question, the three techniques that Reagan employs in this given excerpt from his speech are pathos(appeal to emotion), ethos(appeal to credibility), and overstatement(an exaggerated statement). He employs to appeal to emotion in order to evoke the emotions of pity and sympathy among the audience towards the 52 hostages and their destiny. While the appeal to character is used to convince them about the validity of his statement. The exaggeration is reflected through the descriptions regarding the 'ensured safety of the hostages and their reunion.'