Rhetorical Strategies In John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Throughout history many important people have spoken about their beliefs and values, and much of what they’ve shared with us has become so important to our lives today. The words they spoke, have become the words we’ve read and these words continue to inspire us on a daily basis. Not only do these words add determination into our lives, they help us become better people as well. Jimmy Valvano’s Espy Awards Speech, JFK’s Inaugural Address, MLK’s I Have a Dream Speech, President Obama’s Inaugural Address and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address all have become iconic speeches in the history of the United States. Overall, the speeches are still so important today because of the emotion and compassion that was brought forth by the rhetorical strategies.

On August 28th, 1963, a man spoke about his inalienable freedoms and the outlook on life in America was forever changed. Martin Luther King Jr used many rhetorical devices in his “I Have a Dream” speech. Evidently, it became a modern cornerstone for the end of segregation in the United States. The words he spoke were so empathetic, he made the listeners feel like they were in his shoes and that they could accomplish anything. Through pathos, he used the words “we” and “our” to include everyone. Above all, his intentions were to make everyone feel like they were connected in some way. Dr. King talked about segregation and how the time had come as a nation to become one. To add, he used repetition and extended metaphor to grasp the listeners attention. He used repetition and also logos when he said " One hundred years later the negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the negro is still crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.” (Martin Luther King P1). He repeats "one hundred years later" to emphasize that African Americans still weren’t treated equally to the whites for 100 years after Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It is important to realize that this is also logos because this shows how up to that present time, things still weren’t the same which was quite obvious. Comparatively, MLK also uses the phrase “cashing a check” as an extended metaphor for segregation. He explains how this check has “come back marked insufficient funds” (Martin Luther King P1,2). By this, he means that he and all other African Americans wouldn’t settle for the way they have been treated. His speech was the benchmark for freedom and equality between two races. The way MLK expressed his words and the peaceful way in which he acted allowed the memories of him to be implanted in our hearts for years to come. To conclude, Martin Luther King’s wide use of rhetoric allows for the future readers and listeners of this speech to relate emotionally and realize how much his speech has impacted the United States as a whole.

Barack Obama was the first African-American president of the United States and because of this his inaugural address will never be forgotten. With this in mind, it was also very inspiring because of the rhetorical strategies he used. Obama used ethos and pathos throughout his speech to appeal to his audience emotionally. By the same token, Obama uses pathos when including the words “we” and “our” and “together”. This evidently appeals to the listeners because he is including himself in the speech. He included himself because he wants you to know he relates to the same things as everyone else and assures them they are not alone. Furthermore, President Obama uses apostrophe when he said, “But know this America: They will be met” (Barack Obama P1). When he says this, he is directly addressing the citizens and talking about how we will overcome our challenges. Lastly, Obama also uses polyptoton. When he says “The nation cannot prosper long when it favor only the prosperous” (Barack Obama P3). This means that the US cannot survive on only a few persons effort. He is explaining that everyone must come together as a whole and “extend opportunity”, as he said, “to every willing heart” (Barack Obama P3). To clarify, Obama’s speech is still valued today because the words that he spoke include significant rhetorical devices which are used to grasp the attention of the readers and appeal to our emotions in positive ways.

Jimmy Valvano was a well-known coach of a college basketball team and was diagnosed with cancer. He gave an excellent speech at the Espy Awards and appealed to many people through rhetorical strategies. His speech not only has emotionally changed people’s outlook on their lives, it made the listeners want to be more optimistic. With that in mind, Jimmy Valvano used pathos to grasp our emotions when he discussed his cancer and how we should remember and cherish every moment. He also used pathos when he is talking about donating research money and mentions his children. He said “We need your help. I need your help. We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s lives” (Jimmy Valvano P3). This is evidently pathos because he wants to evoke your love and emotion towards your children to make you want to contribute to curing cancer. Mr. Valvano’s speech is wonderful and empowering because we know many people with cancer in our lives and most are determined like Jimmy so we are able to relate to him in some ways. Some people who listened to his speech actually have cancer, so they can relate more. His positive outlook on life makes us want to become better people and makes us determined to make the best out of everything and never give up. Valvano also used anaphora when he talked about his family, to emphasize the great love that they had for each other. He said “we hug, we kiss, we love” (Jimmy Valvano P1). The importance of “we” was to show that they were a close family and that they enjoyed all of the moments they had together. To add, Valvano also used repetition in the beginning of his speech by saying “Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you” (Jimmy Valvano P1). He couldn’t help but repeat this three times to express his gratitude for receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the first ever Espy Awards. The people that were at the Espy awards weren’t the only people affected by this speech. This just shows how much people admired Jimmy and how inspirational his speech was. "If somebody sees me and recognizes me, "Bob Valvano said, "they bring up either two things: The game in 1983 [where Jimmy's North Carolina State upset mighty Houston for the NCAA championship] or the speech. The way that speech moved people. Jimmy at the end, when he was really sick, he could hardly move - but I'd watch TV that night, and there he'd be on ESPN with John Saunders working a game. Jimmy said that when he wasn't on, cancer patients would light up the switchboard wondering why he wasn't there. We've had people tell us that: ` I had cancer at the time. Your brother would be up there everyday, and I thought, ` If he can do it, I can get another chemo treatment.' " (Chuck Finder Lines 8-13). The way Jimmy Valvano’s speech has grabbed our emotions and attention by rhetorical devices will never be forgotten.

John F.

Kennedy’s Inaugural Address is one of the most memorable speeches of the past 100 years. The way he interpreted his thoughts by using rhetorical devices and techniques has touched many people and become a template for future speakers. JFK used the rhetorical strategy of ethos when he said "...The command of Isaiah- to 'undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free’” (John F. Kennedy P3). This is ethos because he was very credible, he was the president of the United States. The fact that it is written in the Holy Bible means that it must be true and Kennedy was Roman Catholic which would make him twice as credible, and correct. In addition, he also used asyndeton when he said, "...we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty" (John F. Kennedy P1). Back in time, the U.S. was facing many difficulties and people trusted President Kennedy to lead them out. Kennedy’s bold statement let other countries know that the United States and the people within have a great sense of pride toward their home. Not to mention, they would have done anything to preserve their freedom. JFK also used antithesis when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” as well as “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But never let us fear to negotiate” (John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address P3-4). The way he used asyndeton was to make the listeners think

twice about how they could have made their country better, instead of their country making them better. His statement encouraged many people to lend a helping hand and also has become one of the most iconic quotes in history. JFK’s Speech was very inspirational, even to young adults and it helped shape many lives. Furthermore, one person who went to his speech wrote, “Once there, huddled beneath a group of trees facing the Capitol, Birch heard what would become one of the most famous speeches in American history, a speech that would help shape his life — and his generation” (Nathan Rott P1). For these reasons, John F. Kennedy’s use of rhetorical devices in his Inaugural Address has helped change the viewpoint of citizens in the United States.

Abraham Lincoln is one of the most well-known presidents of the United States.

His accomplishments for the betterment of our country continue to be a part of our daily lives. On November 19th, 1863, President Lincoln gave The Gettysburg Address. He used rhetorical devices and strategies during this speech to bring out the emotions of the people who were present. The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and Lincoln gave this speech as a dedication to the soldiers who passed away. When Lincoln said, “but in a larger sense, we can not dedicate- we can not consecrate- we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men who struggled here have consecrated our poor power to add or detract” (Lincoln P1). This is evidently pathos because it evoked emotion and made people feel like they needed to fight for the men's sacrifices, for the sake of the United States. Likewise, another rhetorical strategy he used was author’s purpose. Lincoln had many reasons for asking to speak at Gettysburg. He not only wanted to remember those who had died in the battle of Gettysburg, but to also change the opinions of the remaining soldiers. He succeeded. Within his speech, Lincoln hoped to change the purpose of the Civil War. He stated, "be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought have thus far so nobly advanced." (Lincoln P1). Instead of the soldiers trying to fight for the “unfinished work” of those before them, he wanted the people to fight for their

country with hope to release a new birth of freedom. Abe Lincoln also used allusion when he refers to the preamble of the Declaration of Independence. His purpose was to get everyone's full attention immediately that all men are created equal. In that case, his argument valid because it referred to an official document which still stands as one of the most important documents in history today. To summarize, Abraham Lincoln’s words are still valued today for many reasons, one being the themes and values of the Gettysburg Address. It is always worth remembering how our nation is found, but also reborn. The emphasis Lincoln places on democracy in his final triplet, "government of the people, by the people, for the people" (Lincoln P1), continues to have a huge impact on our lives, day by day. It serves as a constant reminder that we all have a role in making sure our nation remains prosperous. He also wants people to know that they have been given a voice which that we should use for the improvement of the United States. Abraham Lincoln’s rhetorical strategies allowed it to become one of the most influential speeches that was ever read.
Given these points, rhetorical devices and strategies within speeches help the speakers to portray their opinions in a creative and formal way. They help to grasp our attention and emotion, but also make us see the world differently. Rhetorical devices allow words on a page to become a work of art, for all to see and hear.