The Use of Familial Terms Within Presidential Rhetoric from Truman to Obama

Abstract

This thesis seeks to examine the rhetorical traditions of American presidents from Truman to Obama in order to track the usage of familial terms. Within this study, the words "family" and "children" were focused on throughout the forums of Inaugural, State of the Union, Primetime, and Farewell addresses to the nation. Through tracking the prevalence of these terms and the reasons for their usage throughout the collected addresses, it has become clear that incorporating familial terms into presidential rhetoric is a dominant strategy used to engage the nation and connect with American families.