In searching for primary sources for a research topic, I came across three possible primary sources that would be used as measuring sticks in a compare and contrast model. Ronald Reagan's 1987 speech which I gathered via www.nara.gov with the famous line instructing Mr. Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall would be used effectively against the backdrop of Owen Wister's The Virginian in order to distinguish if and how Ronald Reagan used American West rhetoric or tone in that famous speech and how it can be compared to the first "cowboy-hero" novel.
Also I intend to bring into the mix the influence that Peggy Noonan, Reagan's speech writer, was able to mold his speech and make his bold statements full with grandeur and appealing to the average man's ear. In her book, On Speaking Well, she offers up reasons for speech appeal that parallel and sometimes contrast greatly to my intent with the research.
Each of these sources, if used properly, can be weaved into a good path of study and research. I'm not sure yet whether or not my beliefs about the final thesis would come true. It would still take a lot of research to find out what really lies beneath Reagan's exceptional speaking style.
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