The Cost of Steel In President John F. Kennedy's commentary about the steel industry (1962), he argues that increasing the cost of steel in America would prove to be detrimental to the overall economy. He uses arguments of pathos and logos while maintaining a persuasive tone. President Kennedy explains to the nation the importance of consistency within the prices of steel in our nation in order to ensure the stability of the economy during this challenging time. President John F. Kennedy addresses his conference and the nation, many of whom have the utmost respect for him, on this issue of increased prices. Initially, President John F. Kennedy connects with the audience using arguments of pathos, appealing to their emotions. He mentions that the nation is "confronted …show more content…
He elaborates on the fact that "sacrifice" is "being asked of every citizen", while he can understand the desire of steel executives to pursue "private power" which "exceeds their sense of public responsibility" (15-19). Throughout the course of the conference, President Kennedy used logical devices and examples to demonstrate the effects of inflating the price of steel in our nation. The President informs the nation that the "rise in the cost of steel" would "increase the cost of homes, autos, appliances, and most other items for every American family" at a time when the economy and the people did not have the resources to manage (23-25). Additionally, increasing the price of steel would impair all efforts to "prevent an inflationary spiral" from consuming the pensions of the older United States citizens (27-30). Simply put, the President explains that "there is no justification for an increase in the steel prices" (46-47). President Kennedy exhibits a persuasive tone in the entirety of his
His use of an absolute and unwavering tone establishes an incompatibility between the interests of the public and the recent greedy actions of steel corporations. This creates an ‘us vs. them’ mentality, that Kennedy continuously emphasizes throughout his speech to further justify his opposition to steel companies as a defense for the “public interest.” After directly stating his opinion, Kennedy shifts his speech towards the current events of the time, citing the “grave crises in Berlin”, the Vietnam War, and the limitations on union members. This use of logic seeks to sway the audience to join his opposition to the 3.5 percent rise in steel prices.
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
In 1964, the United States was still recovering from a recession when the steel companies decided to raise the price of steel by 3.5 percent. President John F. Kennedy held a press conference to discuss the issue of steel prices. In his speech, John F. Kennedy attempts to reverse the public support for the steel companies by casting them as unpatriotic and greedy to make them look bad.
Kennedy, in his speech appeals mostly to logos by using hards facts and statistics. For example, in line 20 he explains how the inflation of steel is affecting “185 million Americans”. He continues using logos throughout his speech when he introduces Sect of Defense McNamara and tells the American people the steel inflation would an “estimated one billion dollars to cost of defenses, at a time when every dollar is needed for national security”. However, this is also an
During the early 1960’s, the United States was emerging from a recession. Many people were struggling, but some big businesses were taking advantage of the economic distress. On April 11th, 1962, President John F. Kennedy held a news conference to talk about such big businesses, namely, steel companies. President Kennedy criticized these companies for increasing the price of steel by 3.5 percent. By appealing compellingly to logos, effectively to pathos, and rivetingly to ethos, President John F. Kennedy argues that the price increase of steel during the hard times by large companies has been a blatant disregard for their public responsibilities during an emerging recession.
The Letter from Birmingham Jail was written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April of 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of several civil rights activists who were arrested in Birmingham Alabama, after protesting against racial injustices in Alabama. Dr. King wrote this letter in response to a statement titled A Call for Unity, which was published on Good Friday by eight of his fellow clergymen from Alabama. Dr. King uses his letter to eloquently refute the article. In the letter dr. king uses many vivid logos, ethos, and pathos to get his point across. Dr. King writes things in his letter that if any other person even dared to write the people would consider them crazy.
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,
He has the audience infer that the steel companies raising their prices was what they were doing for their country, and what they were doing was not helping like Kennedy has wished. This reference back to something that had a huge impact on many people strengthens Kennedy’s point of view and helps him achieve his
Benjamin Franklin’s The Way to Wealth displays the life of Poor Richard who has ultimately accomplished what most Americans would consider the American Dream: Poor Richard, also known as Richard Saunders, comes from a life of poverty then successfully develops a rich and productive life. Franklin demonstrates that Poor Richard’s work ethic and frugality allow him to advance up the social hierarchy. Nevertheless, scholars oftentimes question Franklin’s intentions throughout his almanac. However, in The Way to Wealth, Franklin’s utilization of rhetorical strategies demonstrates Franklin’s intention to persuade his audience to capitalize their life through dutiful, virtuous, and meaningful actions instead of words.
The YouTube video “U.S. Armed Forces – We Must Fight – President Reagan” by Matthew Worth was made with the intention to motivate the viewers to support the U.S. Armed Forces. The purpose of this Rhetorical Analysis is to determine whether or not the video has been successful in doing just that, motivating and drawing support for the United States Armed Forces. The video was uploaded to YouTube on February 19, 2012 and has nearly 4 million views. Matthew uses the famous speech “A Time for Choosing” by the United States former President, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who has a reputation for his patriotism, to complement the video. This video has been effective in motivating the viewers because of its strong use of the rhetorical concepts logos, ethos, and pathos.
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 focusing on the National economy and ending the recession, Kennedy accomplished a meek increase to the minimum wages for workers, during his presidency. But, he lost the confidence of business leaders in 1962, by seeking to rollback what the administration regarded as excessive price increases within the steel trade. Although, he succeeded in his direct objective, this did not come without a price. President Kennedy ultimately, alienated an important source of support by later calling for a large tax cut to grant capital to large corporations, meant for stimulating the economy (Hoagland, 2008).
In a quote by John Mill, “Does fining a criminal show want of respect for property, or imprisoning him, for personal freedom? Just as unreasonable is it to think that to take the life of a man who has taken that of another is to show want of regard for human life. We show, on the contrary, most emphatically our regard for it, by the adoption of a rule that he who violates that right in another forfeits it for himself, and that while no other crime that he can commit deprives him of his right to live, this shall.” Everyone’s life is precious, but at what price? Is it okay to let a murderer to do as they please? Reader, please take a moment and reflect on this issue. The issue will always be a conflict of beliefs and moral standards. The topic
In a persuasive essay, rhetorical appeals are a very important tool to influence the audience toward the author’s perspective. The three rhetorical appeals, which were first developed by Aristotle, are pathos, logos, and ethos. Pathos appeals to the emotions of the audience, logos appeals to the facts or evidence and ethos exhibits the credibility of the writer.
Jonathan Kozol revealed the early period’s situation of education in American schools in his article Savage Inequalities. It seems like during that period, the inequality existed everywhere and no one had the ability to change it; however, Kozol tried his best to turn around this situation and keep track of all he saw. In the article, he used rhetorical strategies effectively to describe what he saw in that situation, such as pathos, logos and ethos.