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Baylor University.

Rhetorical analysis of Spiro T. Agnew.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis is a rhetorical study of Spiro T. Agnew as Vice President of the United States. His speaking has revived speechmaking and placed him into the national limelight of public opinion and made him one of the most controversial Vice Presidents of all time. Chapter One is a specialized biography which delineates those influential factors in the life of Agnew effecting his rhetorical role as Vice President. Support is given to different contentions of why Agnew was chosen as spokesman for the Administration. Chapter Two is an analysis of the Vice President's speaking according to the classical tradition: invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory. Factors are noted in Agnew's rhetoric in respect to his following strategical dictates of his messages through a style developed to move the populace ethically, emotionally, and logically. Chapter Three is an assessment of Agnew's most famous speech, his attack on the nation's news media. Reasons for such attack, validity of content, audience reaction, and the long-range effect of his speech are critically reviewed. Chapter Four is a study of the public's reaction to Agnew's rhetoric with particular emphasis on three issues: freedom of speech, division and unity, violence and unrest. Predictions are also made as to the future reaction to his speaking.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A.
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Grantor
Baylor University.
Year dc:date.issued
1971

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Whittington, Marvin Edward, 1946-
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Capp, Glenn R., 1910-1998.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14286
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14286

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Baylor University
Base URL
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Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
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citation

Whittington, Marvin Edward, 1946-. Rhetorical analysis of Spiro T. Agnew.. Masters thesis, Baylor University., 1971. https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14286