U.S. v. Nixon: Analysis

U.S. v. Nixon: Analysis

Symbols, Motifs, and Rhetorical Devices

Rhetoric

LogosUh, yeah, this is a Supreme Court decision. The goal here is to support an argument and they're using logic and reason to do it.Take this thrilling paragraph:Although the courts will afford th...

Structure

Supreme Structure The structure of the U.S. v. Nixon opinion is divided into six separate sections. Each section deals with a certain aspect of the case which explains (at length) the justification...

What's Up With the Title?

The title of U.S. v. Nixon is pretty self-explanatory. In this court case, the United States Supreme Court is trying the scope of President Richard Nixon's executive privilege. If you don't underst...

What's Up With the Opening Lines?

The opening lines of U.S. v. Nixon briefly describe the Watergate scandal and the attempt of the Watergate Committee to obtain President Nixon's tapes. The opening also explains how the special pro...

What's Up With the Closing Lines?

The closing lines of U.S. v. Nixon discuss the need for confidentiality in the presidency, but at the same time the need for the fair administration of justice. It also tells the District Court, ha...

Tough-o-Meter

(9) Mt. EverestNot gonna lie, this one is dense. Let's just say you'll have an easier time reading The Silmarillion. If you didn't go to law school, have Google (or Shmoop's handy glossary) ready t...

Shout-Outs

Historical and Political ReferencesU.S. v. BurrBaker v. Carr Marbury v. Madison U.S. v. MitchellNixon v. SiricaCobbledick v. U.S. Alexander v. U.S. U.S. v. RyanPerlman v. U.S. Louis XIV, King of Fr...

Trivia

Nixon dirty-tricks-master and White House "Plumber" G. Gordon Liddy went on a lecture tour in the '90s with LSD advocate and new age guru Timothy Leary, whom Nixon once called "the most dangerous m...