The Speech Draws The Writer And Reader Into Close Proximity Through The

The speech draws the writer and reader into close proximity through the frequent use of 'this'. It appears 4 times in the first paragraph, 0 in the second paragraph, again adding further impersonality through its absence. Then, (as the writer deliberately intends to re-capture the reader's attention) 'this' is used on 2 subsequent occasions in the final paragraph finishing by letting the reader know that he, their leader, would be in it with them. An inclusion/exclusion can also be created between writer and reader through deictic reference realised through the connotation of the writer creating an impression of the reader absorbing the information imparted through the text of the writer.
Table 2 illustrating distribution of Deictics within Text
(see also Appendix .showing distribution in graph format)
Deictics

Occurrences in Text

It / Its
7 times; mainly in last paragraph

The
33 occurrences.

Them
0

This
6 times

They
0

That
6 times

Here
1

There
1

Those
1

These
3 times

In this text 'it' is the primary pointer directing the readers' attention from the very beginning of the text right through to the end. This personalisation function used by the writer when referring to the awfulness of war is aimed at clarity and is intended to create a more realistic and understandable description when imparting factual information (Goatley, 1997, Page 303). With reference to the pronoun 'It', a series of impersonal facts within a text can be narrated without direct reference to the object, whilst also providing a direct contrast to the sensitivity employed by the writer towards the reader with the selective use of 'us' and 'our'.
The main body of the text uses the simple present tense to reinforce the continuous, ongoing narrative characterised by a speech act, even if it is a prepared monologue. The most common deictic used throughout is the definite article, followed by the non-personal deictic 'it' both of which infer a disinterested narrative in strategic places, whilst also implying a factual basis to the text. Additional meaning can be realised through this implied disinterest enabling the reader to focus on their individual interpretations of the text without influence from the writer.
Used generically 'the' can refer to an overall category of subject: 'the whole world'; 'the Prime Minister' and 'the British Empire' referring specifically to 'the House of Commons' and 'the executive' (the Coalition Government of war-time). However, when referring to something specifically unique 'the' distinguishes the item from one of many: 'the Prime Minister' i.e. many Ministers, but only a single Prime Minister.
Comparative Reference
The reader is being advised to search for further information through the writer's use of comparative reference, i.e. there is more to come.