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Metaphor is pervasive and universal in everyday life, not only in language but also in thought and action; our ordinary conceptual system, in terms of...
John f. kennedy presidential inaugural address analysis
John f kennedy inaugural address analysis
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After being elected the 35th President of the United States of America, President John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 1961. He spoke of his intentions of being the leader of the United States of America and stressed unity and the hope for a better future. The inaugural address is regarded as one of the most famous and well-written speeches in history; it was brief yet contained countless examples of beautifully executed literary devices. The concepts along with many quotes are often still valued and used in society today. In his inaugural address, John F. Kennedy’s use of metaphor and parallelism effectively motivated American’s to do their duty for their nation and the human race. With his use of metaphor, President
Kennedy was able to captivate the audience and further illustrate his points. The main goal for a speaker of any genre is to hold the attention of the audience. While President Kennedy delivered his speech, he was able to keep the citizens of America entertained while also having them comprehend his arguments. He strongly emphasized this new generation, and reminded the audience that “those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” (Paragraph 8). The metaphor places a strong image in the minds of the audience, but then again the general idea is received. Metaphors also assist an audience in embracing a new idea. President Kennedy implements this technique when explaining that “if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion,” (Paragraph 20). After listening to that line, the audience was able to dwell on what exactly President Kennedy was saying. This is significant because he wants the new generation of Americans to acquiesce these innovative ideas. President Kennedy uses the words “beachhead” and “suspicion” respectively with the words “cooperation” and “jungle.” He goes beyond simply stating the need for unity and a brighter future; rather he embraces it and proves that by using stronger and more passionate language. Besides diction, with syntax, his use of parallelism was just as effective. Much like the metaphors, the parallelism found was able to further illustrate and depict what the president was saying. For one example of parallelism, President Kennedy announces that we will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe” (Paragraph 5). These were all parallel in the sense that they stated what the nation was going to do in the future. Parallelism keeps the rhythm intact, which can be essential for a speech. In the case of that example, the objectives were listed off; much like someone would list off something if they were speaking in a normal conversation. In another example, again aspects are listed defining the new age of Americans. He states that the torch has been passed to a new generation, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard an bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage” (Paragraph 4). Parallelism not only adds balance, but clarity as well, since the device makes connections between ideas. When President Kennedy describes the new age of Americans, the quote interests the audience, since it is exclusively addressing them. Yet, what the aspect of parallelism adds is the sense that it is presented smoothly and concisely. Both devices were strategically planned out for this specific genre. Considering that the passage was a speech, it is understood that it was written to serve the purpose and provide the president’s intentions yet also mimic the tone of natural speaking. One cannot get their point
The purpose of an “inaugural address” is to inform the people of his or her intentions as a leader. Two of the most prominent inaugural addresses throughout history are Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s and Barack Obama’s. Franklin Roosevelt’s inaugural address stands the test of time because it gave the American people hope that they may overcome the terrible Great Depression. Similarly, Barack Obama’s address is well known because it inspired millions that we will be lifted out of economic crisis, but it was also remembered as the first inaugural address from an African American president. The inauguration speeches of Franklin Roosevelt and Barack Obama use the rhetorical devices parallelism, allusions, and emotive language to convey their messages
It was on January 20th 1961 that John F Kennedy gave his inaugural address after winning the presidential race and beating future president Richard Nixon. President, John F Kennedy in his speech, The Inaugural Address, he describes his plans for growth in America. Kennedy’s purpose is unite the people of the U.S. and bring everyone together for the good cause of promoting growth in the country. He creates a very inspirational tone in order to establish a connection with the U.S. people. In his speech Kennedy really used several rhetorical strategies of persuasion to motivate and persuade the U.S. people that they made the right choice in choosing him.
On January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, which encompassed a new vision for the country with a new generation. That speech was JFK’s Inaugural Address. As the new 35th president, JFK was the youngest president to enter the oval office at the age of forty-three ("Inaugural Address."). The nation was still in in the process of healing after World War II. In the eyes of the masses, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a breath of fresh air for the American People. He was a youthful president, with his youthful image; he was able to rally the younger generations with a progressive vision. This speech was a message to the nation in which JFK outlines a new direction for The United States by securing it’s freedom, being a competitive nation in all aspects, and rallying the citizens behind the government.
John F Kennedy delivered one of the finest speeches on January 20, 1961 after being sworn into office. His inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nations attention, and quotes from it are still remembered by people today. It is one of the finest speeches ever written. It provides a strong appeal to pathos, ethos and logos, and it is because of this that people who never heard the speech can quote lines from it.
In his prominent 1961 Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy extensively employs pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax to captivate millions of people, particularly to persuade them to stand together and attempt to further human rights for the “betterment” of the world. Kennedy’s effective use of various rhetorical styles succeeds in persuading his audience –the world and the U.S citizens—that his newly-seized position as the U.S. President will be worthwhile for all.
On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy made his inaugural address to the nation. He stood in front of the podium to convince citizens that he is the best person to turn the country around. He used experiences from the past, such as war, poverty, and the need for peace to get the attention of those who wish to see change within the country as well as countries we work with. Kennedy spoke in a way to to persuade the american people, as well as the soviet union to come together. In this speech President John F. Kennedy used ethos, pathos, and logos as well as other rhetorical devices to convince his audience.
Ultimately, from the materials that JFK used, his medium, his rhetorical appeals, his resources and constraints, and his language, it can be concluded that John F Kennedy’s inaugural address was a fitting response to the public during that
John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy presents a very authoritative and persuasive inaugural address with a surplus of rhetoric. His speech is full of rhetoric in order to manipulate or sway his audience to his new policies. Kennedy’s objective is to unite the country and he does this through fear, duty, and pride. In order to create unity, Kennedy appeals to fear by revealing one common enemy: nuclear warfare. Nuclear warfare could mean the destruction of many countries, which Kennedy effectively presents to America and the world. Kennedy’s earnest tone push the people to invest in his purpose to provide freedom and peace around the world. He stirs at their emotions by effectively using imagery, which helps create pictures of mass destruction. In
In these lines, he showed emotion when asking the world to spread freedom, justice, and to get rid of all the evils in the world. Also in his address, Kennedy asks Americans to stand up to the “long twilight struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.” As a promoter of world peace, President Kennedy clearly stated that the Soviet Union and the United States were wasting time and money. Following his swearing in, he used allusion in his speech as he stated, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” Kennedy implies to the countrys independence as an effort to create a great reputation for himself.
John F Kennedy delivered one of the best speeches on January 20, 1961.His inauguration speech was very powerful and it gathered the attention of every single person in the nation. It uses a strong appeal to pathos, ethos and logos. Kennedy was the youngest president to be in office. He got his degree from Harvard and later on joined the navy. He wrote “ profiles in courage” which has received one of the most recognized awards, the Pulitzer Prize. This speech had a lot of positive sides to it, but one of the most important things was that it gave him a good look from the outside. The inaugural address was written to let the citizens of America know that they could change this country for the better. It assured all voters
As emblematic representatives of their country, U.S. Presidents exercise their beliefs and concepts regularly through the use of eloquence. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected president of the United States in 1960. Kennedy became president during times of great danger and fear for the nation of America, and others around the globe. With Communism being further more popular, and large weapon’s being frequently produced all around the world, the people of America needed a new premier commander. As the youngest elected official to ever govern the White House, Kennedy wanted to show his genuineness as a ruler, and verify that his presidency would lead to great hope and future. The president’s inaugural address allows the president to lay out his
John F. Kennedy chose to write this essay because he was attempting to show us the vision the he had for our world. Kennedy’s purpose of writing the “Inaugural Address” was to challenge us to change our way of thinking and become better not only for ourselves, but for our country so that we may function more efficiently. The major groups Kennedy addresses in his speech are the United States and the other nations who are enemies of the United States. Kennedy’s central point for the entire essay is that we as a nation need to defend our freedoms all around the world. In order to defend our freedoms we must stop fighting amongst each other and join together in unison. We have the ability to share all different types of ideas, cultures, and experiences.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America at noon on January 20th, 1961. He then delivered his inaugural speech in The National Center for Public Policy Research's Archive of Historical Documents. Kennedy’s speech, one that Thurston Clarke referred to as “...the speech that changed America.” may quite possibly have done just that. Kennedy’s speech sought to convey many messages to the American people. It, at the time, speaks of a world which is “very different now” and notes the importance and prevalence of change in American society and the rest of the world. The most important theme taken from Kennedy’s speech perhaps though is its call to arms of Americans to become active citizens and to fight not only the wrongs and injustices to freedom taking place throughout the world but also to advance the rights and freedoms experienced within the United States by turning inward and actively pursuing change for the betterment of American society.