Jfk Inaugural Address
Sarah Kowal
John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech: Essay
In the years leading up to the Presidential election of 1960, America was embroiled in tension both at home and overseas. The relationship between the United States and Russia was growing more and more strained with every passing day and the civil rights movement left the American people divided. John F. Kennedy, widely regarded as a savior of sorts, brought greater stability to the United States and encouraged the American people to join together in the pursuit of progress. President Kennedy's inaugural speech would serve as the first glimpse at the incredible effect that he would have on the nation. In his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy effectively wields the elements of …show more content…
His use of this rhetorical element aids in the development of the address' tone, which is inspirational and passionate. Kennedy's syntax is effectively conveyed through a great number of literary devices, including antitheses and sentence variety. One antithesis is particular eye-catching: "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." This literary device relies on a contrast of ideas expressed by pairing words that are the opposites of one another. In this instance, Kennedy contrasts the rich and the poor, as well as the many and the few. This use of an antithesis is intended to reaffirm to his people that President Kennedy will serve all of his citizens, including such disparate groups as the poor and the few. The speech also contains great variety in its sentence structure. The sentence types include declarative, compound, and complex. The majority of the sentences are periodic, for Kennedy speaks as though he is moving towards something important at the end of each sentence. This builds interest and excitement within his audience, which is imperative to the achievement of his purpose. Towards the end of his speech, it becomes apparent that Kennedy aims to persuade rather than dictate. For example, he states, "we offer not a pledge but a request." This allows President Kennedy to seem concerned with the people and
John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech: Essay
In the years leading up to the Presidential election of 1960, America was embroiled in tension both at home and overseas. The relationship between the United States and Russia was growing more and more strained with every passing day and the civil rights movement left the American people divided. John F. Kennedy, widely regarded as a savior of sorts, brought greater stability to the United States and encouraged the American people to join together in the pursuit of progress. President Kennedy's inaugural speech would serve as the first glimpse at the incredible effect that he would have on the nation. In his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy effectively wields the elements of …show more content…
His use of this rhetorical element aids in the development of the address' tone, which is inspirational and passionate. Kennedy's syntax is effectively conveyed through a great number of literary devices, including antitheses and sentence variety. One antithesis is particular eye-catching: "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." This literary device relies on a contrast of ideas expressed by pairing words that are the opposites of one another. In this instance, Kennedy contrasts the rich and the poor, as well as the many and the few. This use of an antithesis is intended to reaffirm to his people that President Kennedy will serve all of his citizens, including such disparate groups as the poor and the few. The speech also contains great variety in its sentence structure. The sentence types include declarative, compound, and complex. The majority of the sentences are periodic, for Kennedy speaks as though he is moving towards something important at the end of each sentence. This builds interest and excitement within his audience, which is imperative to the achievement of his purpose. Towards the end of his speech, it becomes apparent that Kennedy aims to persuade rather than dictate. For example, he states, "we offer not a pledge but a request." This allows President Kennedy to seem concerned with the people and