The rhetoric of United States Marine Corps enlisted recruitment: a historical study and analysis of the persuasive approach utilized

Abstract

This thesis concerns itself with the rhetorical approach utilized by the United States Marine Corps to persuade men to enlist voluntarily. This thesis is a historical tracing of the rhetorical approach used by the Marine Corps in recruitment. This tracing relates the rhetoric to the presence or absence of a national level war and/or the presence or absence of a conscription system such as the draft. The study is limited to that rhetoric which is aimed at the recruitment of enlisted men and women.

In summary, this thesis treats the rhetorical approach utilized in United States Marine Corps posters/billboard advertising from 1775 to 1973. It also explores the relationship of the rhetorical approach to the presence or absence of war and/or a conscription system.