25th Anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon

In 25 years, a generation has passed since the terror attacks of September 11th. Yet time has not dimmed the honor of that day when our country came face to face with true evil. Today we renew the sacred oath that we first swore in their names.

Appeal to Fear Creates anxiety and fear to influence decisions rather than using logical reasoning

Loaded Language The phrase 'true evil' is an emotionally charged absolute that frames the attackers in maximally negative moral terms rather than conveying factual information — for example: 'true evil'

Appeal to Prejudice The phrase 'our country' invokes a shared in-group identity to emotionally bind the audience together around a collective trauma — for example: 'our country came face to face'

Glittering Generalities The phrase 'sacred oath' uses vague, emotionally resonant language implying noble commitment without specifying what the oath entails or demands — for example: 'sacred oath'

Transfer Invoking a 'sacred oath' sworn 'in their names' borrows moral authority from the memory of the 9/11 victims to legitimize a present-day political or rhetorical position — for example: 'we first swore in their names'

We will never ever forget. September 11th reminded us of the terrible power of hate. 25 years since have shown us the even greater power of the American spirit to endure and prevail and to win.

Loaded Language The phrase 'terrible power of hate' uses emotionally charged language to evoke strong negative feelings — for example: terrible power of hate

Glittering Generalities The phrase 'American spirit' is a vague, emotionally positive expression used as rhetorical flourish without specific meaning — for example: the American spirit to endure and prevail and to win

Appeal to Prejudice The invocation of 'the American spirit' appeals to in-group national identity, implying a shared superior resilience unique to Americans — for example: the even greater power of the American spirit

God bless our 9/11 families. God bless our unbelievable brave and beautiful first responders. God bless the United States military.

Transfer Invoking divine blessing to confer religious legitimacy and emotional authority onto a political or rhetorical statement — for example: God bless our 9/11 families, God bless our unbelievable brave and beautiful first responders and God bless the United States military.

Loaded Language Emotionally charged superlatives used to amplify sentiment beyond neutral description — for example: 'unbelievable brave and beautiful'