JFK Inaugural Speech Rhetorical Essay

JFK Inaugural Speech Rhetorical Essay John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president, was inaugurated on Friday, January 20, 1961. He delivered one of the most powerful speeches that provided a strong claim to ethical appeal, emotional appeal, and logical appeal. Kennedy used rhetorical strategies and devices to persuade the nation to trust and accept him as president. Throughout his speech, Kennedy used ethos to help the American people take his side , and prove his credibility. Kennedy displays his credibility by using an allusion in the line, "for I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago," (Kennedy). Kennedy uses that line to show his sincerity and honesty of swearing on the oath just like the past presidents did. His use of anaphora in lines "to those old allies," "to those people," "to our sister," and "to those new states," helps show his great character because he is able to discuss all issues of the situation. Kennedy gives an emotional appeal by displaying patriotism and creating emotions that the audience will give into. He used words such as "us," "we," "our," and "proud" to help convey the patriotism that this nation can have. This can also be shown by the line "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it-and the glow from that fire can truly light the world," (Kennedy). Another use of pathos was given in the line "born in this century, tempted by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage-and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world," (Kennedy). Here Kennedy explains how the nation must work together to be unified as one. After displaying his ethical and emotional appeal, Kennedy shows his logical appeal.