Sydney Stephan English 1301- 1 09.26.17 To The Citizens Of The World John F Kennedy’s speech is one that will be remembered for generations to come. His speech inspired our nation and the world by reaching out and addressing the changes we are going to endure. In his speech, President Kennedy uses strategic language and verbiage to convey his purpose. He used words like freedom, renewal, faith, liberty, peace, and loyalty to evoke emotion not only from fellow Americans, but also nations around the world. JFK’s presidency began after World War II and during the Vietnam war when America desperately needed to hear these words most. His presidency fell right in the middle of pressing social injustices and the middle of the Cold War. President Kennedy mentioned several times that the work that our forefathers fought for is …show more content…
still what we are fighting for today. Our founding fathers fought to protect our freedoms and now they have passed the responsibility onto a new era of Americans. He also explains that our final goals will not be achieved in a days work. They may not even be achieved in the next decade, but we do know for certain that even then we will be fighting for the same rights. Our jobs as Americans is to protect our rights and join each other in alliance to do so. In this speech, he forges his famous line,”… ask not what your country can do for you; but what you can do for your country” (Kennedy). He stands by this idea by urging us, as the new generation of Americans, to fight for our freedom’s, our liberties, and our faith to ensure the success of not only our own country but the success of the entire world. One of the most important aspects of JFK speech is the way he addresses every audience across the board. In the paragraphs four through eleven, he directly addresses are alliances, new nations, Third World countries, sister republics, enemies, and the UN. To each of those audiences, he asks specific requests and explains that we are all after the same goals and it’s in our best interest that we work together. One important message that he conveys in each of the specific paragraphs is our ,Americas, “pledge”. For example, to our allies we pledge to remain loyal to one another. To the less fortunate nations we pledge to lend a helping hand not for votes for out of spite but because it’s our responsibility as a free nation to help those in need. He use the speech to direct the attention away from his presidential victory and focus on the unification of his audiences. He focuses strongly on ethics because, as he mentioned several times throughout the speech, America was built on the hard work and sacrifices we have made in the past and are still making today. He specifically uses the differences in our world to bring everyone together. He points out many aspects in our world that affect everyone. For example, our right to freedom, the threat of starvation, and need for peace. He touches on the fact that war is changing. There are threats of astronomical proportions. It’s not hand to hand combat any more it’s new technology like machine guns and atom bombs. Technology can either be used for destruction or as a tool to abolish many of our issues. He imparts that we should not be afraid the negotiate we should, “… formulate serious and precise proposals…” so that we can peacefully work together. He asks how far we will go before we self destruct. Man has every opportunity to fix all of the issues in society yet instead they use those opportunities to fight against each other. He proclaims that his presidency is going to be a new era of renewal for everyone. He unites Americans further by reminding them that everyone of us, born in America or not, is a descendent of someone who fought for the basic principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another major point President Kennedy hits, is his call to duty. Weaved into the unification of the nations, he also creates a sense of urgency that it is our duty to defend what we believe it. It’s this call to action that has inspired generations. He stresses that there is no time better than the present for peace. In his speech, JFK made it clear that he was a religious man by mentioning his faith on many occasions.
In addition to inserting direct biblical quotes, he uses references like, “… The rights of man… come from the hand of God.” And, “ For I have sworn before you and Almighty God…” (Kennedy). This appealed to many people because it showed his moral compass and his willingness defend our country. It also acts as a reminder that he is not only our president but also a citizen himself. He states, “ I do not shrink from fear- I welcome it” (Kennedy). This shows his loyalty to America and its people, even as just a citizen himself. JFK uses several forms of repetition to solidify his message. The beginning of paragraphs seven through 10, he starts off with “To”. This is when he is addressing his audiences. Once again he also repeats the word “pledge”to promise to fulfill the ideas he lists in those specific paragraphs. Lastly, he repeats the words “let both sides” to, again, unite the audience, opposing or agreeing.This is his main idea throughout his entire speech. This is the one idea that remains present in all aspects of his
message. This speech was not written to be a celebration of the election of our 35th president but to celebrate the future that lies ahead of us. One day everything that we sacrificed and everything that have worked for em centuries will all be worth it. If we all work together in unification we can achieve above and beyond what we would if we were divided. As John Fitzgerald Kennedy once said, “ With a good conscience our only reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love…” (Kennedy). Together we are not citizens of divided nations but citizens of the world.
“Born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage.” (Miss, Daly, Pg.). This show the U.S. people that he really loves this country and really cares about what’s going on and what happens to it in the future. Another way he brings pathos into his speech is by the language/words he uses in his speech. When he is talking he uses a lot of words like “we”, “us”. This makes the U.S. people feel very connected to him and makes the feel like they are a part of it to, it is like they made the decision to vote him president and now they get to help him make his decisions about the future of America. In his address he says “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” (Miss, Daly, Pg.). which again he connects to the people by making them feel involved and by basically saying the future of America is even more in our hands then in his and it really depends on us in how we want America to turn out, and again makes the U.S people feel very patriotic and proud of their country. Overall John F Kennedy was very successful in persuading the U.S. people about their choice by using pathos and by just talking to
Those words were, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country” ("Inaugural Address."). In order to achieve all these feats, JFK need a nation united. JFK pulled on the nations heartstrings by reminding the nation of it’s core values, which it was founded on. He appeals to that “tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage” side of the American public ("Inaugural Address."). He later goes on to say that change will not happen overnight, but rather change is a continuous process that is always evolving and
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.
1962 in America brought the emergence from a recession. During this time of economic worries in America, steel companies raised their prices of steel despite the President stressing how important stable prices and wages were. This brought out a powerful response from President John F. Kennedy, which resulted in him making a speech. He gave this speech to the nation on April 11, 1962, making his feelings heard loud and clear. Kennedy used this speech to raise anger in Americans by showing how the steel companies were only trying to help themselves. He also used this as a platform to make the steel companies feel guilty for their actions and urge them to stop, and to lower the prices. Kennedy uses the three appeals, strong diction and syntax,
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
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.
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
John F. Kennedy’s central argument in his inaugural speech is that America needs to act. During this time the Cold War was occurring, causing both America and the Soviet Union to compete in an arms race to see who could make the most nuclear weapons. Kennedy states that America needs to fight for freedom while also negotiating peace with communist countries, especially the Soviet Union. Kennedy does not want a nuclear war to occur so he wants peace before another world war happens. Kennedy also talks about helping the poor people in other countries. In the end Kennedy urges American citizens to help out in any way they can. Even though Kennedy does use pathos and ethos more than logos, it is the combination of all three that make his argument
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
The structure of the speech enhances the ability for all people in the audience to connect. Beginning with an intimate remark and closing with a broad regard marks the address as both authentic and propelling. Nevertheless, what is most effective is Kennedy’s skill to access the atmosphere of the crowd and examine the circumstances of the juncture that is primarily the cause for the prosperity of this distinguished speech.
John F. Kennedy’s speech was revered then and it is revered now. He talks on peace and freedom will never be forgotten. JFK arrived when America was going through a rough patch and delivered a speech for the ages. His line “…My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” still applies even today. Even though John F. Kennedy’s live was tragically cut short in 1963, his speech on freedom and peace will always be remembered and it carries on with JFK’s legacy.
Although emotions may seem irrational, they tend to produce very rational effects. Kennedy relies on history ("Our ancient heritage") and God ("in the trumpet summons") and on patriotism ("graves of young Americans") and on bravery ("I do not shrink from this responsibility") to carry his message against "the common enemies of man: "tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself". Evoking excitement and fear caused many to be proactive out of worry that their laziness may be counterproductive to the nation. This address not only manipulated the audience by evoking certain emotions, but equally important was the ability for the Inaugural Address to linger in the minds of the audience.
Kennedy uses within his speech emotive language as well as some metaphors, quotes and also similes to help reinforce the devastation and the grief that has laid waste to the entire country about the death of Martin Luther King. Within this speech Kennedy speaks with emotion and passion. He states, “For those of you who are black and filled with hatred and distrust… I can only say that I too feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling.” He then continues to talk about how his family member was killed who also was a white man. This was done to make this speech more personal than formal.