Preview

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By John F. Kennedy

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
987 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By John F. Kennedy
Kennedy’s audience, his fellow citizens, dignitaries and citizens from foreign countries, were all awaiting the plans that the new president had. The people who voted for him and those who didn't wanted to see if this new and young president was going to be fit for the job. Kennedy‘s point of view from the driver's seat, he wanted to abolish all forms of human poverty. He recognized that this was an era of renewal and also change, and he was going to fight to remind people that the “rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” Although early in his presidency, Congress opposed many of the ideas that Kennedy had in mind, but that didn't stop him from fighting for what he believed. Kennedy began his speech by recognizing that his audience was not one group of people listening, it was people from all over the world that had a large part of his plans for the future. He reminded them that this was not a victory for one party or another, but the celebration of a new …show more content…
He wanted his people to, “unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah,” his allusions throughout his speech show that he is not only trusting the people, but he is also trusting his beliefs. Kennedy uses personification when he states, “with history the final judge of our deeds,.“ He is explaining that their children and grandchildren of this country will live in the world they make for them, so they want it to be good. Finally in exclamatory phrases he asks his fellow Americans, “ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country,” and to his fellow citizens of the world, “ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” Kennedy had a plan, and he was talking to whoever would listen, because eventually he would need their help to success in making better of the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In Kennedy's inaugural address he pledges to help the people around the world who "struggle to break the bonds of misery." He wishes to help these people because it is the right thing to do. This shows that there was much poverty around the world at the time. Even the rich needed help; Kennedy said, "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, then it cannot save the few who are rich." Kennedy also wanted to assure the survival and success of liberty. He wanted every nation to know that America would do anything to preserve and spread liberty. In his inaugural address, Kennedy uses the oxymoron "peaceful revolution." He was referring to the peace he wanted to maintain with Mexico. Likewise…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    At one point, many of his lines began with “Let both sides…” which was then succeeded by a suggestion or warning. By using the repetition of this phrase, he was able to emphasize the need for each side of the nation to coalesce together. When these phrases are constantly repeated, the audience can better understand JFK’s purpose. Kennedy uses repetition again, when he repeats the phrase “To those…” After this phrase he states a noun such as allies, new states, people, sister republics, world assembly, and nations. Each time he uses a different noun to introduce a new part of his argument. In one instance, he uses anaphora in an attempt to appeal to the patriotic emotions of his audience: “…we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends… we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny.… we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required.” (Kennedy). Emphasizing “we pledge” shows the proudness and vigor he had for his country and also the importance for the nation to work together as one. The use of repetition kept an echo of the important words JFK wanted his audience to embrace and remember. Kennedy used repetition well to further demonstrate his purpose to unify the…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address took place in Washington D.C on 20th January, 1961 and was his very first speech as president. Kennedy spoke from a strong moral and humanitarian position, which made it difficult for people to disagree with him on certain points, for example, when Kennedy called all American citizens to be active participants in the future. This was emphasised by one of Kennedy’s most notable quotes “And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” A couple of distinctive voices he aimed to achieve with this speech were as president, as he was speaking on behalf of his citizens and as a humanitarian as he was a spokesman for equality and justice for all people. The Cold War was an overwhelming issue at the time of his election and throughout his presidency. Kennedy used euphemisms such as “the hand of mankind’s final war” in relation to the possibility of a nuclear war, to play down any fear that was created by the cold war. He uses tone to illustrate that he is a dedicated, fearless president when he says, “I do not shrink from this responsibility, I welcome it.” This use of tone also indicates that he is a confident, visionary president when he says, “The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it.”…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kennedy Rhetoric Devices

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To have the audience remember his speech, Kennedy emphasizes repetition. He kept repeating certain words like "one" and "we" for example. The purpose of him repeating these words is to tell the audience that they all should work together and support one another. He also kept repeating the word "first". America has had many "firsts" throughtout history. Kennedy says, "America has ridden the first waves of industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power." He keeps repeating the word "first" to tell the audience that America has been first many times and intends to be first once again in the race for space.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Once he was inaugurated on January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy prepared to deliver his famous speech. By using a multitude of devices, Kennedy created a speech that would be remembered as a great ‘call to action’ in history. In a time of trouble and confusion for the American people where threats could attack at any time Kennedy had to portray himself as the blanket of warmth in the Cold War. With his use of Scesis Onomaton, Consonance, and more, Kennedy was able to provide an empowering speech to a people that needed it the most, whilst still maintaining a tone that one could find in a casual conversation between friends.…

    • 473 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The hysteria surrounding communism ravaged the United States of America when John F. Kennedy was elected president. Sputnik was orbiting in space, the Cold War raged in the background and to combat the fear, America needed a strong, dependable leader. At this time, Kennedy barely beat his presidential competitor Richard Nixon causing uneasy feelings in the American public. To alleviate the apprehension, John F. Kennedy delivered an inspiring inaugural speech which sent a message of strength to the nation and world. Kennedy saturated the speech with rhetoric and realistic goals resulting in support from the entire nation. Although the speech was mainly intended to inspire American citizens, Kennedy used repetition, catalog, and allusions to convey a clarion in the final sections of his inaugural speech.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    However, during the presidential campaign and after he was nominated for the Democrats, Kennedy made it clear in his speeches that he was a supporter of civil rights. Historians are divided as to why he was ‘suddenly’ converted. Some saw the opposition to the 1957 Act as understandable from a political point of view. Others have adopted a more cynical view which is that Kennedy recognised that he needed the ‘Black Vote’ if he was to beat Nixon. Hence why he said in his campaign speeches that discrimination stained America as it lead the west’s stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He also said that a decent president could end unacceptable housing conditions…

    • 1018 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    John Kennedy believed that it was possible for the United States to simultaneously take offensive in the Cold War, accelerate the arms race, eliminate poverty and racism at home, lower taxes, all without unbalancing the budget and starting inflation. His goals in short, were as boundless as his pledge to “pay any price”.…

    • 989 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kennedy drew on previous notion of the freedom of religion to support his right to religious beliefs and to uphold the desires of the founding fathers. He is able to work religious freedom to his advantage to turn the arguments of his opponents about his Catholic values against themselves. Ultimately, altering the culture from presidential candidates that preceded him and for the candidates to come after him. This support is at the heart of his purpose and his rhetorical problem, which drove him to deliver this particular speech and deliver it to a room filled with religious leaders.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Also in this speech, JFK uses a lot of emotion (pathos). He tells his audience that they will have a say so in the country. He used pathos by making the audience believe that they have a role in this…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The youthful energy found in John F. Kennedy's speech is evident throughout. He had just won a long hard fought campaign, yet chose not to focus on the policies that helped him win specifically. The goals he has are illustrated in strong appeals to emotion, by making a connection with the everyday American citizen. He personalizes his speech in looking forward to the future while using the past as an example.…

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout his speech, Kennedy talks about his plans for the betterment of the United States and what he is going to do to create new friendships with countries that share the same beliefs with us, and his…

    • 1119 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtual Jfk Film Analysis

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In short, he makes the claim that true peace is obtainable and war is not evitable. I think this part of the film provides the greatest argument, for the film in believing that the Vietnam War would not have escalated in Vietnam as it actually did. In addition, it also helps navigate all of Kennedy’s actions in the movie towards a central focal point. The movie depicts JFK as an incredibly moral president who seemed unaffected by all those around him calling him a weak president or a complete failure on foreign policy issues. In contrast, JFK seemed to have a vision for the world that no one could see since they were blinded by the red of communism. In conclusion, it seems rather unfortunate that the world focuses so much on the conspiracy around his death and not the incredible moral rectitude he exhibited as the President of the United States of…

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    John F. Kennedy's Speech

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    John F. Kennedy promoted change and sought to have peace. The structure of Kennedy’s speech is also parallel. He uses a repeating grammatical structure to create a rhythm that evokes the audience’s attention. His address is empowering to the american people and he was very clear on his view of america. Kennedy called upon his fellow Americans to start getting involved in the government and to start serving their country and he invites a new era of peace and cooperation. He calls upon Americans for cooperation, sacrifice, and idealism.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Henry Ford Influence

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages

    John F. Kennedy was a huge role model to many of people, not just Americans. He was one of the most remembered presidents as well. JFK believed his country was capable of many things. “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country”(Harper). JFK knew that the citizens were capable of doing whatever for there country, as long as they believed they could. He was confident in his ability of being president of the United States. “JFK did so many things for America During his time as president”(Harper). He knew that he could accomplish a lot, so he put…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics