Date Approved
6-11-2003
Embargo Period
5-11-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Public Relations
Department
Public Relations & Advertising
College
Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts
Advisor
FitzGerald, Suzanne Sparks
Subject(s)
Presidents--United States--Messages
Disciplines
Public Relations and Advertising
Abstract
This is a study of the impact of presidential messages and style upon the American public following the annual State of the Union address. This researcher focused on two similar presidents, Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton. The State of the Union addresses used were for the years 1982 and 1994, respectively. The impact was measured by the poll results taken before and after each State of the Union speech.
A content analysis of each address was done to determine the major themes and messages and to determine which of those messages resulted in increased poll numbers.
Additionally, this researcher cited sources which revealed that Reagan did not, in fact, have the high approval ratings of the American public as claimed by the media.
Reagan's three sub-systems of discourse are evaluated in the context of the 1982 State of the Union address. Clinton's rhetoric is also evaluated and found to be similar to Reagan's but with higher polling results.
Recommended Citation
Shapiro, Lea L., "State of the Union addresses and their impact on popularity and credibility" (2003). Theses and Dissertations. 1377.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1377
