Inaugurating the Presidency

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Inaugurating the Presidency

• Kathleen Hall Jamieson
• Karlyn Kohrs Campbell

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Characteristics of Inaugural Addresses

• Epideictic
• Ceremonial
• Rite of passage
• Swear an oath
• Symbolic rather than substantive
• Transition
• a new start
• Transcending
• addresses timely questions timelessly
• Memorable phrases that resonate
• Can be said at many points throughout history
  almost verbatim and remain rhetorically
  appropriate significant

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• Nostalgic
• Recall the past
• Theatrical/ Performative
• Employ a noble and dignified linguistic style
• Rehearsed rather than impromptu
• Employ explicit appeals for unity
• Patriotic duty
• Solidarity
• Speculate about the future
• Inspirational

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Rhetorical Functions of Inaugural Speeches
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• 1) Unify the audience
• Assures those who did not vote for him that their
  rights will be protected
• Eliminates divisiveness along party lines
• Assures solidarity in times of war, crisis, or
  economic recession

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• 2) Rehearse communal values
• Recollections from a shared past
• Memoria- use of the principles, policies, and
  presidencies of the past
• Reconstitute community
• Unifies the audience and warrants present and
  future action

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• 3) Set forth political philosophy that will
  govern the new administration
• Incites Contemplation
• Amplifies admitted facts and tries to impress
  ideas upon the audience without action as a goal
• Language of continuing principles
• Conservationism
• Preservation
• Maintainence

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• 4) Demonstrate worthiness of the presidency and
  recognize limitations of office
• Set forth executive initiatives while affirming
  the balance of power
• References to God, Congress, and the people
• Manifest his ability to lead

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Factors that affect audience reception of the
address

1. Personal characteristics of the speaker
2. Political economic climate
3. Medium through which the speech is heard
4. Weather