Part I: Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation in Ronald Reagan’s Challenger AddressMy understanding of critical listening is evaluating the power of the speech as a speechby asking if the speech demonstrated the principles/techniques of public speaking. A good youwant to ask yourself when evaluating a speech is; what was strong or weak about the speech andhow can the speaker improve their speech. Speeches are usually delivered in a specific context.For example, lets evaluate the Ronald Reagan speech “the challenger”. Instead of doing a reporton the state of the union on live television, he gave a ceremonial speech about the challengerdisaster that happen in 1986. The space shuttle “Challenger” exploded, leaving seven familiesagonizing the death of their loved ones. “Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they hadthat special grace, that special spirit that says, ‘Give me a challenge, and I'll meet it with joy”.
