John F Kennedy Address Rhetorical Analysis

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On April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed his nation due to the aggrandizement of steel prices the previous day. President Kennedy wants to unify his country and bring out the patriotism in his fellow Americans during a time of war and crisis, this can all be summed up in his most famous quote, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." He adopts a disapproving tone in order to captivate his Americans. President Kennedy uses the rhetorical appeals pathos and logos, while also using a formal diction and long sentences. Kennedy begins his address to the nation with his disapproval of the "leading steel corporations" and their "unjustifiable and irresponsible"…show more content…
Kennedy's use of long sentences implies that Kennedy wants to be very descriptive for his audience. Kennedy states "The recent settlement between the industry and the union, which does not even take place until July 1st, was widely acknowledged to be non-inflationary, and the whole purpose and effect of this Administration's role, which both parties understood, was to achieve an agreement which would make unnecessary any increase in prices", in this one long sentence Kennedy allows his audience to know when the settlement will take place, the purpose, the effect and if both parties understood. By doing so his audience was more informed of the settlement. Kennedy lacks the use of the rhetorical appeal ethos but there is an understandable reason why. John F. Kennedy was born into a wealthy family, is a Harvard University graduate and the "Leader of the Free World". Kennedy won't necessarily experience the hardship of the "increase [of] the cost of homes, autos, appliances, and most other items" that "every American family" will face, but Kennedy let's his audience know that even thought he may not go through the hardship, he will do his best to make sure that American families don't suffer for
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