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The first piece of presidential oratory opened
with several sentences marked by asyndeton, the omission of conjunctions
for dramatic effect. The speech jars the reader with a barrage of
uncoordinated ideas and images.
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Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens,
our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate
and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices;
secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms
and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended
by evil, despicable acts of terror. (George W. Bush 9-11-01) |
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Later speeches would use polysyndeton or the conscious use of conjunctions
to elongate sentence rhythms and create a stately rhetoric appropriate
to national mourning.
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only for a time. Goodness, remembrance, and love have no end. And
the Lord of life holds all who die, and all who mourn. (George W. Bush
9-20-01)
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