Cuban Missile Crisis Rhetorical Devices

1218 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: John f kennedy rhetoric speech

On October 22nd, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered the famous "Cuban Missile Crisis Address to the Nation" speech in response to Nikita Khrushchev’s act of placing nuclear and flying missiles on the island directly south of the United States: Cuba. The purpose of the speech was to alert the nation of the situation and inform them on how it would be handled. This speech successfully won the attention and respect of the American and Russian people through the use of multiple rhetorical devices. One rhetorical device used often in his speech is logos, which is the logic used to support a claim as well as the facts and statistics used to support an argument. This can be seen in the following line, “The characteristics of these new missile …show more content…

Kennedy also used other rhetorical devices such as anaphora, alliteration and metaphors. Kennedy used a technique called anaphora, also known as the repetition of the opening phrase of a sentence for added effect, when he said Cuba will be “free from foreign domination, free to choose their own leaders, free to select their own system, free to own their own land, free to speak and write and worship without fear or degradation.” By using anaphora, Kennedy emphasizes the fact that he truly wants peace, not only for his nation but for Cuba as well. He does not blame Cuba for the missiles but instead realizes the fact that they are under the control of “tyrants”. Therefore, through this line Kennedy gains the respect of many that are listening since he is being practical and sensible in the situation despite the severity of it. Another rhetorical device used by Kennedy is alliteration, which is the recurrence of initial consonant sounds, in the following statement, “large, long-range missiles.” The purpose of this statement is to emphasize the threat that the missiles possess by stressing their size and location through alliteration. This statement can stir the fear or curiosity of those listening which is effective in getting their attention and keeping it for the duration of the speech. Lastly, metaphors were also used to compare two things by stating one is the other. This can be seen when he stated that “the fruits of victory would be ashes in our mouths." Once again, this device is used to emphasize the severity and threat of the missiles. Furthermore, Kennedy emphasizes the devastating effects nuclear war can have that not even victory itself will be satisfying since so much destruction was caused. This metaphor will steer those listening, away from taking an offensive action and possibly starting a war to support his defensive plan which does not have a destructive war as a result. It is natural for us as human beings to go with a plan that

Show More
Related

  • Rhetoric In The Novel 'Soften Them Up' By Jay Heinrichs

    458 Words  | 1 Pages

    Heinrichs had previously worked as a journalist before becoming a full time writer and advocate for rhetoric. He utilizes illustrative examples to convey rhetorical concepts. Furthermore, chapter four reveals the most valuable logos and pathos tactic. Lastly, this book’s use should be continued in this course.

    Read More

  • John F Kennedy Ethos Appeal In Jfk Speech

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    He stated that if the Soviets execute a “hostile move anywhere in the world against the safety and freedom of peoples to whom we are committed, including in particular the brave people of West Berlin, [it] will be met by whatever action is needed” (source). Respectively, war was not the President’s first choice. President Kennedy declared that he himself and government officials “are prepared to discuss new proposals for the removal of tensions on both sides, including the possibilities of a genuinely independent Cuba, free to determine its own destiny” (source). During the Cuban Missile Crisis, America desired peace without war in the Western Hemisphere, but President Kennedy made it clear that the U.S. would fight for it if necessary. Throughout his address, President Kennedy utilized the logos appeal wonderfully to gain the trust of the American and Cuban

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Kennedy's Speech

    1452 Words  | 3 Pages

    He used a very selective vocabulary, purposely using emotionally charged words such as: “wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance” (lines 4-5), “ruthless disregard” (line 82), and “restraint and sacrifice” (lines 14-15). By using words with strong connotation, he powers the emotions of his audience once again directing support for himself and appearing as the calm figurehead amongst the emotional chaos. He also makes his speech very personal by mentioning individual American families, literally using the phrase “every American family” (line 25). He appeals to the strong sense of patriotism in the American public by mentioning the four servicemen who died in Vietnam. Despite the fact that they are almost completely unrelated to the rise in steel prices and, if they were alive, would be unaffected by the rise in price, either. And yet, Kennedy mentions the servicemen to make the situation appear that much more dire. By mentioning the tragic deaths of these men, Kennedy aims to trigger a strong emotional response in his audience that would turn into support for

    Read More

  • Unilateral Decision: The Naval Blockade on Cuba

    1134 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Cuban Missile Crisis." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • What Were the Repercussions of President Kennedy and his Executive Committees decisions Made During the Cuban Missile Crisis?

    1648 Words  | 4 Pages

    May, Ernest R. "John F Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis." BBC News. BBC, 18 Nov. 2013.

    Read More

  • Charlotte's Web

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the Rhetorical Concepts is Logos. Purdue Owl puts it as, “Logos is frequently translated as some variation of ‘logic or reasoning,’ but it originally referred to the actual content of a speech and how it was organized” (Purdue Owl). If you look at Logos more carefully you’ll see that it refers to the structure and content of the text itself. It’s the logical argument; the facts, research, shared wisdom, and definitions.

    Read More

  • The Legacy of John F. Kennedy

    1907 Words  | 4 Pages

    May, Ernest R. “John F Kennedy and the Cuban MIssile Crisis.” BBC News. BBC., 18 Nov. 2013.

    Read More

  • The Cuban Missile Crisis In 13 Days

    1174 Words  | 3 Pages

    The docudrama ‘13 Days’ depicts the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union which nearly ended in a cataclysmic crisis widely known as the Cuban Missile crisis. The course of events and the escalation of the crisis during the intense 13-day period in October 1962 are conveyed to the audience through the perspective of US political leaders. The crisis begins as U-2 spy planes evidence that Soviet leader, Khrushchev, had intermediate-range missiles deployed to Cuba in secrecy and is in the process of activating them. The movie surfaces the conundrums faced by President Kennedy in deciding appropriate actions to be undertaken, such that the missiles in Cuba are removed without resorting to war. Audiences are acquainted with the various complexities involved in the decision making processes, as President Kennedy not only had to deal with the antagonistic Soviet Union, but also disagreements within his own administration.

    Read More

  • Thirteen Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robert F. Kennedy's chilling account of his experiences with his brother, President John F. Kennedy over thirteen days in October of 1962 give an idea to the reader of just how alarmingly close our country came to nuclear war. Kennedy sums up the Cuban Missile Crisis as "a confrontation between two atomic nations...which brought the world to the abyss of nuclear destruction and the end of mankind."1 The author's purpose for writing this memoir seems to be to give readers an idea of the danger confronted during the Cuban Missile Crisis and to reflect on the lessons we should learn from it as a country, and for future members of government.

    Read More

  • Cuban Missile Crisis Essay Outline

    639 Words  | 2 Pages

    " We were eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked" (Shmoop). This

    Read More

  • The Role of John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis

    1743 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first point that made John F. Kennedy responsible for handling the Cuban Missile Crisis, well, was his way of managing the public. In every crisis, a leader must always keep in mind of the reactions of the people because if it is ill dealt with, disastrous and chaotic consequences could ensue. Thus, even though nuclear warfare was prevented; credit should also be given to how the public of the United States did not end up in turmoil. To access how the public did not end up in chaos, one has to look into the genesis of when the majority of the American citizens received the news of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the first place. This leaves with only one source, which was the public address from President John F. Kennedy on October 22, 1962.1

    Read More

  • Essay On Frederick Douglass Ethos Pathos Logos

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    He uses Logos in his speech to show the reasoning behind what he is saying. For example, when Fredrick Douglass was speaking about how he will see America’s Independence Day from the slaves’ point of view. He doesn’t hesitate to declare that it never looked blacker to him due to the character and conduct of the nation and slavery. He explains his statement with reasoning making the rhetorical appeal Logos. Fredrick Douglass also uses Pathos during his speech to provoke emotion in the audience. An example is in the third to last paragraph he was expressing his anger for what America has done and that they should be punished severely. “Had I the ability, and could reach the nation’s ear, I would today, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” This contains many strong words that he wants to use to provoke an emotion of rage or disapproval in the audience. He also wants to show how he feels about America’s slavery and the punishment they should face. These are two rhetorical appeals Fredrick Douglass uses in his speech to persuade the

    Read More

  • The Cuban Missile Crisis

    1916 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Cuban Missile Crisis was a major event in U.S History that almost led to nuclear destruction. It was over a period of thirteen days in which diplomats from the U.S and the Soviet Union were trying to reach a peaceful resolution so that they wouldn’t have to engage in physical warfare. The crisis was the hallmark of the Cold War era which lasted from the 1950’s to the late 1980’s. The Cold War was a power struggle between the U.S and Soviet Union in which the two nations had a massive arms race to become the strongest military force. The U.S considered Communism to be an opposing political entity, and therefore branded them as enemies. Khrushchev’s antagonistic view of Americans also played a big role in the conflict. The Cold War tensions, coupled with a political shift in Cuba eventually lead to the military struggle known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cuban Missile Crisis was the point of most tension and near collapse causing the Cold War to almost shift from a passive and underground struggle to a violent and catastrophic one.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Strategies in John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kennedy’s brilliant use of pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax successfully conveys his ambitions and hopes for America, as it makes Kennedy’s speech a very memorable one in history.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Masters of War, by Bob Dylan

    2172 Words  | 5 Pages

    Stern, Sheldon M. The Cuban Missile Crisis in American Memory: Myths versus Reality. Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ., 2012. Print.

    Read More

More about Cuban Missile Crisis Rhetorical Devices

Open Document