Rhetorical Analysis

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Jill Helt Rhetorical Analysis On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech on civil rights. At this time, the Alabama National Guard was sent to the University of Alabama to protect two African American students who were admitted to the school. In May of that year, a court had ordered the university to let them be admitted to the university to receive their education. President Kennedy stated in his speech that they were admitted peacefully because of the students at the university that acted responsibly. He made it perfectly clear that “all men are created equally” and that these students deserved the right to go to that university. In his speech, he used many ways to get the listeners attention. His use of language to all people, specific words, and even imagery caught the attention of the listeners. Kennedy uses “oughta be possible” several times in his speech. His use of language in these sentences shows the listener that he understands the different levels of the freedoms the African Americans had at this time. With this phrase he states the different privileges Americans have, and that African Americans should have. He states that they are Americans no matter the color of their skin. He wants them to receive the same freedoms all Americans have. At the time of this speech, African Americans could not get the same education as white people. They could not get the same jobs, eat in the same restaurant, or even earn the same amount of money as a white person. Even their life expectancy was cut short because of all of this. His use of different words in his speech catches the attention of the readers. He constantly uses the words American, free, and equal. His use of American makes a point that all people are Americans. No matter what color or race we are, we are all Americans. His use of the word free or freedom, states that
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