Jfk Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Ryan Miller Ms. Lang AP Language and Composition 14 April, 2024 Unit 4 FRQ On September 12th, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech. He gave this speech in support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s program to bring humans to the moon. Kennedy gave this speech at Rice University Stadium in Houston, Texas. The purpose of this speech was to persuade the American people as well as the international community to support America’s leadership and contribution to space exploration. Kennedy emphasizes his purpose through the use of allusions and emotional appeals. One rhetorical strategy effectively utilized by Kennedy in his speech is allusions. Allusions help persuade Americans and the indirect audience of the international community to support America’s efforts in …show more content…

This effectively persuades Americans that America should be involved in space exploration, even though it may contain hardships. Another quote in the passage that demonstrates how an emotional appeal helps Kennedy address his purpose is when he claims, “We have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding,” (Kennedy 1). This statement reinforces the fact that space exploration will bring freedom and peace, rather than conflict. Kennedy appeals to the emotions of Americans by reminding them of America’s customs and how space exploration will only be used for good. Kennedy makes the audience feel optimistic about a peaceful future with space exploration, making his speech much more convincing. As a whole, Kennedy effectively utilizes emotional appeals to persuade Americans and international communities that America should become involved in space

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