Rhetoric, Religion, and Representatives: The Use of God in Presidential Inaugural Addresses from 1933-2009 as Reflections of Trends in American Religiosity

• Other Authors: Roche, Megan Alexandria (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Communication; Rhetoric; Religion
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-9456

The purpose of this study is to explore the rhetorical functions of references to God and the Bible in the first presidential inaugural addresses from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama. The Inaugural Address serves to reunite the nation after the division of an election. The language used in this address reflects the culture and identity of the nation it speaks to. Through a modern rhetorical analysis of the inaugural addresses from 1933-2009, this thesis aims to identify the trends in American religiosity, as can be seen through particular use of references to God and uses of biblical metaphor as a rhetorical and persuasive tool in the inaugural address. === A Thesis submitted to the School of Communication in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. === Spring Semester, 2015. === April 9, 2015. === Inaugural Address, Presidential Rhetoric, Religion, Rhetoric === Includes bibliographical references. === Jennifer Proffitt, Professor Directing Thesis; Davis Houck, Committee Member; Steven McDowell, Committee Member.