Rhetorical Analysis of JFK’s Inaugural Address John F. Kennedy was exceptionally talented in his ability of using tropes and schemes. This skillset is always imperative in any literature related work. The rhetorical strategies Kennedy uses in his inaugural address help him to achieve success with his ethos, pathos, and logos. Kennedy’s purpose in his speech is to reach out to America and raise their morale. He is also trying to show that he has true concern for the people, instead of simply having his own personal agenda of becoming president.
John F. Kennedy’s purpose to his inauguration is to inspire the citizens of the United States, and to persuade his audience to merely participate in transferring his several goals into reality. It is clearly stated in Kennedy’s inauguration speech that help will be needed by the world if these goals will ever be achieved. In the act of persuading his audience Kennedy uses many rhetoric strategies to achieve the support from his audience that he is hoping for. In my analysis I can assert that Kennedy establishes his purpose in a persuasive way through his distinctive syntax and diction. Kennedy uses many complex formations of syntax and diction to persuade his audience.
The goals he states strongly appeal to ethos, by making connections with the everyday American citizen. He personalizes his speech in looking forward to the future while using the past as an example. Kennedy is smart to do so, one can only go forward but to be successful we must learn from the past. He states “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom-signifying renewal as well as change.” Being
He lays everything down in front of them to see. This kind of honesty and sincerity that he shows to the people is a new form of persuasion. Nixon’s persuasion skills made this speech a successful one, which has stuck with people even today. He used his words effectively, and did the job of refuting most if not all of the questions presenting themselves because of the funds that were donated. His final thoughts that he leaves with the people reinforce his main points, and put his full support behind his decisions and his running mate Eisenhower.
His use of ethos, pathos and logos in this speech and others, made it effective enough to land him a spot as Commander in Chief. He used ethos in a way that gained the respect of his audience in that he took on the role of being one of them. By using logos he made them realize what they as the Republican Party stand for. With his use of pathos he appeals to their emotional side but making them believe that change is for the sake of their children’s livelihood. Ronald Reagan’s speech “A Time For Choosing” was intended to persuade his audience to believe the wrong-doings of the government, and persuade he did.
At the beginning of the inaugural address Kennedy begins with a strong and reassuring statement “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom-symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning-signifying renewal, as well as change.” (Kennedy) This statement demonstrates humility by removing his personal gain and turning it into a victory for the American people. Then JFK uses emotion, or pathos, of the audience by addressing the topic on most Americans mind, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet Thomas 2 any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (Kennedy) This is a good example of how he uses emotion to bring peace to the minds of the U.S. citizens and encourage them to unite as one. Another example of pathos in the beginning of his speech is when
This story appeals to the audiences emotions and this make his speech effective. The idea that an elderly man of a different race is willing to be part of the campaign not because of an issue that he is facing but because he is willing to join the campaign for someone else, but not only another person but another person of another race shows that there is hope for America to place differences aside and unify. It shows that no matter what race a person is, people are able to sympathize with one another and help support each other when needed. By using this heartwarming story Obama reached out to the readers and gave them hope of
A rhetorical question is a question that is asked in order to make a point, it is asked merely for effect with no answer expected (Merriam-Webster, 2011). The Rhetorical question that JFK asks in his inaugural speech was: “Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and west, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?”(John F. Kennedy) This question basically asks the millions of Americans to join in his efforts, to get behind him and help assure the more “fruitful life. By asking this question he is calling the American people, not only to realize the hostility that had been happening between countries but also to do something and to take action. He is inspiring them to do more for their country and causing them to think what they are willing to do for their country and at what
He wants to take care of the Americans together. The speech is very easy to read he is talking in a way that everyone can understand him. He is referring to the “old” presidents to support what he wants to do, and are making the people relate to situations, they know or have either been a part of or heard of. He is using a little bit of humor in the beginning of the speech, so that people can see that he is also a human and not just a person who makes things happen. He has a family whit two girls who are in school even though their father is the president.
These sentences give his speech more depth which can be considered hidden energy. Through antithesis, Kennedy shows his purpose is to target things that they should do by first telling them what they should not do in order to achieve unity and liberty. Declarative sentences show that the speaker is not afraid, not uncertain and is a powerful leader. If Kennedy had shown weakness, the public would not trust him and other countries would try to take advantage of