John F Kennedy Inaugural Speech Analysis
After winning the election by only 115,000 popular votes, John F. Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic president on January 20, 1961 (historyplace.com online). Kennedy’s Inaugural Address uses logic, emotion, and figurative language to make it a remarkable speech. Kennedy’s use of logic is one of the many techniques that make his speech noteworthy. In Kennedy’s speech, he describes how people can improve life on Earth during the new era. John F. Kennedy uses many examples of logic to explain how the world can escape poverty. He understands that, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich” (Kennedy online). He also acknowledges that people are much more powerful when they work as a team by saying, “Divided, there is little we can do -- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder” (Kennedy online). By using logic, Kennedy persuades people to make a change in the world. Kennedy’s exceptional use of logic makes his speech very effective. In
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addition to logic, Kennedy also incorporates a lot of emotion in his Inaugural Address. Kennedy connects his speech to the audience by including phrases like, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country” (online). Kennedy also includes verses from the bible to add emotion to his speech. As a result of the many examples of emotion in Kennedy’s address, the audience is able to connect and relate to the speech, as well as get a better understanding of Kennedy’s ideas.
Lastly, Kennedy uses lots of figurative language to make his speech effective.
One example of figurative language that he often uses is repetition. When explaining how citizens can make the world a better place, Kennedy repeatedly says, “Let both sides…” (online) and lists examples of ways that people can help, such as “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” (Kennedy online). This is Kennedy’s way of saying that mankind should focus on the things that will bring them together instead of fighting about topics that they disagree on. John F. Kennedy also uses metaphors such as, “casting off the chains of poverty” (online). His varying use of figurative language makes his Inaugural Address and outstanding speech.
In conclusion, John F. Kennedy incorporated logic, emotion, and figurative language into his Inaugural Address; therefore, it was one of the most exceptional speeches in American
history.
addition to logic, Kennedy also incorporates a lot of emotion in his Inaugural Address. Kennedy connects his speech to the audience by including phrases like, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country” (online). Kennedy also includes verses from the bible to add emotion to his speech. As a result of the many examples of emotion in Kennedy’s address, the audience is able to connect and relate to the speech, as well as get a better understanding of Kennedy’s ideas.
Lastly, Kennedy uses lots of figurative language to make his speech effective.
One example of figurative language that he often uses is repetition. When explaining how citizens can make the world a better place, Kennedy repeatedly says, “Let both sides…” (online) and lists examples of ways that people can help, such as “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” (Kennedy online). This is Kennedy’s way of saying that mankind should focus on the things that will bring them together instead of fighting about topics that they disagree on. John F. Kennedy also uses metaphors such as, “casting off the chains of poverty” (online). His varying use of figurative language makes his Inaugural Address and outstanding speech.
In conclusion, John F. Kennedy incorporated logic, emotion, and figurative language into his Inaugural Address; therefore, it was one of the most exceptional speeches in American
history.