Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

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John F. Kennedy, a man Americans name as one of the best presidents, delivered his speech that took America by storm. When he stood at the pedestal, thousands of people, nationally and globally, tuned in to his speech, listening to important ideas that Kennedy brought further light on. To connect people through peaceful relations was a reached plan, but with the use of archaic diction and parallel structure, those dreams seemed to be more closely attainable than ever before. First off, Kennedy’s main purpose was to have not only his own nation, but other nations be connected through peaceful relations, thus using archaic diction. Although Kennedy was not as old as other presidents before him, actually ranking number two in youngest presidents …show more content…

The best way to win the presidential seat is to leave the public with words they will always remember. Kennedy generously uses parallel structure to make his point across; his statements give a call to action while also giving advice on what path not to take. For example, his most famous use of parallel structure, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” (26) lights an American pride to fight for those you identify with. The structure is simple, but firm enough to be boldly stated for emphasis that, together, the community is called “not to bear arms, though arms we need – not as a call to battle, though embattled we are” (23) go against “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself” (23). Furthermore, Kennedy’s speech becomes more agreeable and understanding to the public as double negatives contradict each other; for instance, “if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich” (9). As the nation listened to his speech, they felt empowered to embody America’s freedom and spread it to the world. Thus, Kennedy left a powerful impression on the American people by leaving the audience with thought provoking messages that the whole nation still looks back on

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