John F Kennedy’s Inaugural Address: A Rhetorical Analysis 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. Kennedy opens his speech by …show more content…
emphasizing that this was not just a victory for the Democratic Party but was a win for the country as a whole and shows that he really cares about the unity of the U.S. people. “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning—signifying renewal, as well as change.” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 201). In this section he establishes the rhetorical device of ethos by creating a common ground with the people and establishing that this was a win for the country and not just the Democratic Party. With that he is showing he cares for both parties. Later in the speech he again establishes ethos when he says “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it.” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 203). With this he show the U.S. people he is ready for the challenge of running the country and that they can trust him. He is showing how is reliable and he won’t run when times get hard. Along with ethos John F Kennedy also uses logos to help persuade the U.S. People. In his speech Kennedy also uses logos to help him with talking to the U.S.
people and to get his point across. With logos he uses inductive reasoning by talking about actual facts and cases like when he says “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms – and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.”(Miss, Daly, Pg. 202-203). In this phrase he is talking about the cold war and the stuff that has been going on with Russia. He is showing the world he wants to promote peace and he want to fix the relationship between America and Russia. Another example of logos in this speech which is deductive reasoning is when he says “those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside,” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 202). Which he talks about communism and the spread of communism. He also uses quotes from the bible. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 203). John F Kennedy was catholic and that was one of his biggest obstacles in the race because a lot of people did not like the idea of a catholic President but by quoting the bible he connect himself to the Christian people in the U.S. through religion and make them feel better about their choice of voting for him. Along with ethos and logos in his speech John F Kennedy also …show more content…
uses some pathos to persuade the people. One way Kennedy incorporates pathos into his speech is by talking about patriotism for the country and being very patriotic.
“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
them. John F Kennedy was very effective in persuading the U.S. people through using several of the rhetorical strategies for persuasion that it was the best choice to vote for him for president and that he was the better choice for America also he accomplished the goal of motivating everyone about the future of America. He really accomplishes these goals by really connecting to the Americans through the idea of patriotism and the love of the country and what happens to it. He also accomplishes this by using fact and talking about the stuff happening in America during this time. Overall this speech made people a lot more confident on their choice of voting for him, made more U.S. people like him, and believe in him as the President of the United States.
Every president strives to remain positive in the public’s eye. Yes, a despised president can still hold office, but the country will always respond much more positively and remember the president better if he or she is viewed favorably. This is particularly true during times of great distress or crises, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, or Hurricane Sandy in 2012. On April 10, 1962, the United States’ largest steel companies raised steel prices by 3.5 percent. President John F. Kennedy had repeatedly called for stable prices and wages, as the country was already under economic strain from foreign affairs. Kennedy held a news conference on April 11, 1962 in order to address this sharp increase in steel prices. He was well aware of the fact that he had to maintain a positive image to
John F. Kennedy was the President of the United States from 1961 to 1963. Shortly after taking over in office he gave an inspiring speech during a News Conference held on April 10, 1961, to discuss the inflation of steel prices and the impact it had on the American people.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He graduated from Harvard, and joined the navy. He worked as a reporter before entering the political arena. He later wrote “profiles in courage” which won the Pulitzer Prize Award. Being that JFK was the youngest president to ever be in office there is no doubt that he encountered a lot of skepticism. This speech had many purposes but most importantly it gave him positive recognition. The inaugural address was written to encourage the American public to get actively involved with their country. It also reassured them that it was not a contest that he won but rather chance at a beginning. This speech reassured the voters that they made the right choice and informed a country that they were going to see some changes.
Evident throughout his entire address, Kennedy employs a cogent pathos appeal to keep his audience intrigued. This can be demonstrated when Kennedy initially proclaims: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…” who he urges to be “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of…human rights to which this nation has always been committed…” (Kennedy). Kennedy’s usage of “we” rather than “I” gives the audience a sense that they exist as part of something big, perhaps a family, while portraying Kennedy as a people’s president who desires to be a “person in the crowd.” Throughout his address, Kennedy establishes pathos mainly by appealing to American patriotism, a significant concept during the Cold War period in which Americans needed a jingoistic spirit to succeed. By reminding his audience of their forefathers and instigating parallels between “the first revolution” and the present generation, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage,” the president grasps the attention of the audience. He even stresses the value of liberty and this generation’s dedication to the survival of that value to rou...
In conclusion, this speech was structured beautifully. Its use of figurative and expressive language makes it an unforgettable speech. Kennedy does a great job of using pathos, ethos, and logos to reiterate his commitment to the American public as well as discuss expected changes. Given the state of the world at the time of his inauguration, the decision to rely so heavily on pathos and ethos was a wise one which got the job done. His use of the rhetoric triangle effectively conveys Kennedy’s plan for America to not only her citizens, but to the world.
Kennedy used rhetorical devices including logos, ethos and pathos to show America that he was best for the job, as well as bring much needed hope to the people of the United States as well as the
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
In writing the speech, he wanted it to be brief but powerful and focus on foreign policy and to unite all American citizens by pointing out their common values and ethics such as equal rights; beliefs in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and hard work. The most famous section of the speech was near the end when Kennedy said to all Americans, “And, so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” He also appealed to the citizens of the world by saying, “My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man” (JFK’s Inaugural Address). These lines made it clear that it was everyone’s responsibility to make the changes the entire world wanted to see. The newly-elected President of the United States repeated these appeals to both Americans and the world throughout the speech to grab the attention of the audience, for example, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship…” (JFK’s Inaugural Address). He wanted to keep his promise of establishing peace between nations and wanted to let all countries and citizens know that all would gain success if they worked
The emotion in his speech is perfectly used by making the American people feel truly responsible for the well-being of our country. John F. Kennedy 's logic was the best example of ethos, pathos, and logos that he used in this speech; with quotes like “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor; it cannot save the few who are rich.”, and “ Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”. With all the uses of ethos, pathos, and logos he defended the vision of our forefathers and that the world could be a better place. All this speaking not only to the United States, but the
President John F. Kennedy brings about a new way of thinking in his inaugural speech. He brings in a sense of selflessness and relentlessness for the country. He uses literary devices such as, antithesis, repetition, and rhetorical questions to bring about that sense in the audience. He begins by putting himself to the people and allowing the audience to feel welcomed. The use of literary devices in his speech allows the audience to recognize his goal, which is moving forward and bringing change to the country.
The way logos were used in his speech greatly assured the public that action needed to be taken immediately. He provided both reasoning and logic to better forward his point that a change needed to be made. One area specifically he states, “The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the state in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school”. The statistics that John F Kennedy provides seriously strengthen his argument, with logic and statistics to back up his argument it creates a stronger pull. John F. Kennedy also makes the statement “.about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year,” showing the difference in wages between African Americans and Caucasians.... ...
If anyone ever tells you that speeches does not make a difference, point them at JFK's Inaugural Address. Throughout his speech, President Kennedy uses several techniques to gain the trust of his audience. Nevertheless, the purpose of his speech was to inspire and not necessarily educate; However, Kennedy effectively used emotional language to make his audience feel included in his goals as President When he discussed previous leaders, Kennedy used a source of element to emphasise his opinion by stating, “But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom, and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside, (Language Awareness 283).” This implies that
The daily lives of the common people are continuously affected by the decisions of large corporations, more so in the negative than the positive. In 1962, John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at a press conference to criticize the steel companies who had begun to raise the price of their product. While Kennedy used accusatory statements to denounce the steel companies, he also applied repetition and ethos to rally the people together.
“We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as beginning—signifying renewal as well as change,” (Kennedy) these were the words John F. Kennedy used when he delivered in his inaugural speech to the citizens of our country and to the people around the world. On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was elected as our thirty-fifth president of the United States of America. It was a cold clear day and the capital was filled with snow from a storm the day before. The ceremony began with a traditional prayer, national anthem sung by Marian Anderson, and then following with Robert Frost reciting a poem called “The Gift.” John F. Kennedy’s main purpose for his speech was to unite our nation as one, more than it was a celebratory one. He was able to address his audience with a speech that would forever remembered. John F. Kennedy used some rhetorical devices to prove to the nation that he was the best candidate as our newly inducted president.
The sixties was a time period marked by complex political and social issues in the U.S. and internationally. The U.S. was caught between 2 major international conflicts: the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Other countries and political systems threatened America’s stability as a world power when John F. Kennedy was elected into office by a narrow margin. As the youngest man elected into presidency, he had to prove to the people that his leadership was capable of motivating and uniting the Americans to work towards the progression of the nation. In his nationally televised inaugural speech, John F. Kennedy calls Americans into action through his impactful and contrasting language.