Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech
In his speech on April 10,1962, John F. Kennedy accentuates the corruption and negligence of United States Steel and other leading steel corporations for raising steel prices that would in turn have an immense, financial-burden impact on everyday Americans. The intended purpose of his writing piece was to chastise and defame the greedy steel corporations as well as obtain support and unification from Americans. Through the use of patriotic diction, hypothetical reasoning, and consistent factual evidence, John F. Kennedy generates a logical and emotional appeal in order to exemplify the urge to resolve the devastating economic and social distress Americans had faced from the recession.
Throughout his text, John F. Kennedy intends to spur negative public opinion towards steel industries by using nationalistic diction.Take the use of his patriotic word choice as an example; he states phrases such as “the American people will find it hard, as I do... “, “the American people have a right”, and “our efforts…” By associating himself …show more content…
with the American people and presenting the steel corporations as cynical and greedy, John F. Kennedy creates a sense of “us vs them” outlook. Moreover, he wrote in first person point of view, which indeed reveals that he is on the side of Americans to undertake the issue of raise in steel prices.
Another major rhetoric device incorporated in his speech that reinforces his purpose was that of his consistent hypothetical reasoning. He asserts that if a rise in the cost of steel is done by other steel businesses, rather than lowering the cost of needed items, Americans could likely face a financial burden and it would have other harmful impacts too. Another example in his text was when he stated that “steel output per man is rising so fast that labor costs per ton of steel can actually be expected to decline in the next twelve months.” Based off of these examples, one should notice that John F. Kennedy made predictions from his assumptions of the evident complications of increase in steel prices because it makes things more expensive and puts people out of work. Furthermore, his reasoning generates a logical appeal given that he explicitly stated how devastating the situation could turn out to be for the average working American.
As a final point over how Kennedy achieved presenting his purpose was by providing relevant information as to how the increase of steel prices have a direct impact on the people and other important factors.
For “a tiny handful of steel executives whose pursuit of private power and profit exceeds their sense of public responsibility.”, John F. Kennedy backs up this claim stating that there is no reasonable justification for increasing steel prices, and that there was a consensus that the industry knew to not make “unnecessary [increase] in prices.” Therefore, this says that the steel corporation certainly was negligent and lacked responsibility and ethical characteristics because statistical and reliable sources evidently show that it would devastate Americans. It is important to note the Kennedy uses factual information to his advantage because it serves as proof, thus he gains credibility and would lead people to support his
assertions.
Throughout his text, John F. Kennedy intends to spur negative public opinion towards steel industries by using nationalistic diction.Take the use of his patriotic word choice as an example; he states phrases such as “the American people will find it hard, as I do... “, “the American people have a right”, and “our efforts…” By associating himself …show more content…
with the American people and presenting the steel corporations as cynical and greedy, John F. Kennedy creates a sense of “us vs them” outlook. Moreover, he wrote in first person point of view, which indeed reveals that he is on the side of Americans to undertake the issue of raise in steel prices.
Another major rhetoric device incorporated in his speech that reinforces his purpose was that of his consistent hypothetical reasoning. He asserts that if a rise in the cost of steel is done by other steel businesses, rather than lowering the cost of needed items, Americans could likely face a financial burden and it would have other harmful impacts too. Another example in his text was when he stated that “steel output per man is rising so fast that labor costs per ton of steel can actually be expected to decline in the next twelve months.” Based off of these examples, one should notice that John F. Kennedy made predictions from his assumptions of the evident complications of increase in steel prices because it makes things more expensive and puts people out of work. Furthermore, his reasoning generates a logical appeal given that he explicitly stated how devastating the situation could turn out to be for the average working American.
As a final point over how Kennedy achieved presenting his purpose was by providing relevant information as to how the increase of steel prices have a direct impact on the people and other important factors.
For “a tiny handful of steel executives whose pursuit of private power and profit exceeds their sense of public responsibility.”, John F. Kennedy backs up this claim stating that there is no reasonable justification for increasing steel prices, and that there was a consensus that the industry knew to not make “unnecessary [increase] in prices.” Therefore, this says that the steel corporation certainly was negligent and lacked responsibility and ethical characteristics because statistical and reliable sources evidently show that it would devastate Americans. It is important to note the Kennedy uses factual information to his advantage because it serves as proof, thus he gains credibility and would lead people to support his
assertions.