This document will analyze the state of the union addresses of President John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan, and Barack Obama. In this research paper, the author will summarize each speech, compare and contrast the three, as well as provide multiple literary articles that analyze each and provide the author’s personal opinion.
On January 14, 1963 President John F. Kennedy addressed 435 Representatives and 100 Senators. The eighty-eighth congress was made up of 259 Democrats and 176 Republicans. President Kennedy began with foreign policy. He went on to of speak domestic issues and the end of the recession, but stressed economic urgency. He stated that a reduction in income tax would achieve the desired results.
Kennedy moves on to American life, stating that we should support our youth and positive educational and social programs such as the Peace Corps. He then expresses his concern of the general health and wellness of citizens, and introduced numerous programs. President Kennedy stresses the security of democracy and our competition for furthering current technology such as the space program, new forms of arms, as well as our defense against tyrant forces.
Finally, JFK returns his focus to foreign policy. He offers ideas on nuclear defense and his ultimate economic goals of trade and growth. He comments on developing nations and believes that communism must be prevented from entering these new, fragile structures and that it is our job to help.
On February 4, 1986 President Ronald Reagan presented his state of the union address the ninety-ninth congress. The congress was made up of 435 Representatives and 100 Senators that consisted of 253 Democrats and 182 Republicans. He begins with the progress of the nation. He speaks of eco...
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Roberts, Steven. "DEMOCRATS PAINT BLEAKER PICTURE." The New York Times. Web. 6 May 2014. .
Staff, NPR. "Inside The State Of The Union: What The President Proposed." NPR. Web. 6 May 2014. .
"State of the Union Addresses of the Presidents of the United States." State of the Union Addresses of the Presidents of the United States. 6 May 2014. .
"US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives." US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Web. 6 May 2014. .
The Inaugural Address of a newly elected president can have an incredible impact on both those who support the young presidency, and those who do not. These speeches are widely broadcast. In school, businesses, and at home, the words of the person who has been elected are heard by hundreds of thousands. The message that these words deliver can sway those who are unhappy with the vote’s results, fearful about the future, or expectant of greatness to look forward without distrust or doubt and to look to the president for leadership and guidance. The focus of the speech illuminates what issues are present in society, and what the commander in chief plans to address in his steps forward. In Bill Clinton’s 1993 Inaugural Address, he incorporated a hopeful but urgent tone, repetitive rhetorical devices that emphasized his point, and an inspirational organizational format to argue that it was the responsibility of the American people and their leadership to change society for the better.
In order to grasp the rhetorical situation, one must first understand the correlation between the purpose of the State of the Union Address and the response to the address. Before discussing the response in detail, one needs to know why the State of the Union Address is given. According to the website, This Nation, the intent of the State of the Union Address shall convey a message of what America is striving to become in the form of speech to the citizens. The website defines the State of the Union Address by stating, “ shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the
In his “State of the Union” speech, President Barack Obama effectively uses the rhetorical devices of Ethos, Pathos and Logos to convey a more convincing message to the citizens of the United States to urge them to follow the example of the many people that have made their nation greater.
His speech contained persuasive appeals such as logos and pathos. Kennedy says “This peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers...our neighbors know we shall join with them to oppose aggression anywhere…let every power know this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.” This strong quote corresponds with pathos, it pertains to the emotion of hope and courage that the U.S. needs to maintain its high ranking status among other countries. This shows that he wants us to be ready for anything
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 the opening of his speech, Kennedy expressed that his presidential victory is a “celebration of freedom” with it – “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change.” Throughout his address, Kennedy showed emotion in several lines. In these lines, he showed emotion when asking the world to spread freedom, justice, and to get rid of all the evils in the world. Also in his address, Kennedy asks Americans to stand up to the “long twilight struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.” As a promoter of world peace, President Kennedy clearly stated that the Soviet Union and United States were wasting time and money. Following his swearing in, he used allusion in his speech as he stated, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” Kennedy implies to the country`s independence as an effort to create a great reputation for himself. He does this by alluding to a large moment of when America gained independence. The quote by Kennedy, “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”, President Kennedy was displaying his devotion to stop the war. He wishes to start a new beginning of
...ose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." He was hoping to get the support of the nation. That the people in the audience were listening to him and agreed with what he had to say. The crowd cheered and applauded for him which usually means that they agree, so I would say that JFK got the response he was looking for. The people agreed with him. I agree with the fact that the foolish people who are "riding the tiger will end up inside". Because you should not toil with things that you have no right toiling with. Like the people who have the right to speak about what they want to speak about.
"Inaugural Address by President Barack Obama." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. .
President Barack H. Obama has been always using rhetorical strategies in his political speeches. He used these strategies to present important points and views of his in front of public. Delivering points and views properly and logically got him to be the president in the first place. President Obama used mostly ethos and pathos, yet some logos to deliver his inaugural and the state of union speeches. Being that, he was able to reach the audience emotionally and make the speech flow efficiently while he preserved his credibility. Each speech has own audience that differs from the other. In the inaugural speech the audience was the public and therefor the speech was short and used short sentences that are easy to understand. On the other hand, the state of union speech’s audience was mostly the congers members and therefore the language was more specific and filled with political terminology. Both speeches will be discussed upon context and using ethos, pathos and logos consecutively.
Podell, J.,& Anzovin, S. (2001). Speeches of the American Presidents. Bronx, NY: H.W. Wilson Company.
President Barack Obama goal when giving this speech is to inform the Congress on the State of the Union. The primary message being delivered is to focus on the future and the four questions that he believed the country should answer regardless of the future presidents. The person delivering the speech is the 44th president Obama because according to the Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution the president must give the congress information on the State of the Union. Obama is the right person to be delivering the speech because he is the president and he knows what it is exactly that needs to be conveyed to the congress.
Opening with "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.” conveys an image of the constitution for the purpose of the speech; what comes next is “Two hundred and twenty one years ago,” an opening that places him in the tradition of Lincoln at Gettysburg and Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial “Five score years ago.” Concentrating on the nation’s misunderstanding and miscommunication connected to racism in America.
John F Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States and at 43 years old he was the youngest president to take office. Because of his youth, he stumbled upon much skepticism from his opposition and even a little from his supporters. Kennedy’s inauguration speech was so vital because he needed to make a quick and powerful first impression to America and to the entire world. The address was written to encourage American citizens to get involved with their country and with the issues of the time. This speech reassured the voters that they made the correct choice and informed the country that changes were on there way.
President James “Jimmy” Carter’s inauguration speech is full of contrasts. He speaks of the United States being a “purely idealistic nation,” but he also recognizes the need for strength. He states we “cannot dwell upon remembered glory,” while at the same time saying he has “no new dream to set forth today, but rather urge a fresh faith in the old dream.” President Carter came to the presidency during a period of healing for the nation. He would lead a nation in transition, but struggle to give strong leadership.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America at noon on January 20th, 1961. He then delivered his inaugural speech in The National Center for Public Policy Research's Archive of Historical Documents. Kennedy’s speech, one that Thurston Clarke referred to as “...the speech that changed America.” may quite possibly have done just that. Kennedy’s speech sought to convey many messages to the American people. It, at the time, speaks of a world which is “very different now” and notes the importance and prevalence of change in American society and the rest of the world. The most important theme taken from Kennedy’s speech perhaps though is its call to arms of Americans to become active citizens and to fight not only the wrongs and injustices to freedom taking place throughout the world but also to advance the rights and freedoms experienced within the United States by turning inward and actively pursuing change for the betterment of American society.