Jfk Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example
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.
John F. Kennedy begins his inaugural speech by using antithesis to emphasize the importance of his victory in the presidential race. Kennedy describes his victory as “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change.” He then appeals to the pathos of his audience by using several effective choices of diction. By describing the responsibilities passed on to the new generation of Americans, Kennedy invokes nationalistic feelings in the listening citizens. He points to the resiliency of the United States and the need for the people to continue to support the ideals of freedom that have made the country so successful. The people were challenged to “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Kennedy successfully appeals to the pathos of the audience in order to establish his views to be elaborated in the rest of his speech.
In the next portion of his address, John F. Kennedy discusses his international views. He strategically uses anaphora to break his ideas into segments. After saying that the United States under his presidency will pledge to achieve several different things, he explains what the pledges are in segments beginning with “to.” It effectively separates his ideas and lets his audience know he is beginning to speak of a different pledge than the one before. Kennedy pledges that the United States will unify with other countries even if their
John F. Kennedy begins his inaugural speech by using antithesis to emphasize the importance of his victory in the presidential race. Kennedy describes his victory as “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change.” He then appeals to the pathos of his audience by using several effective choices of diction. By describing the responsibilities passed on to the new generation of Americans, Kennedy invokes nationalistic feelings in the listening citizens. He points to the resiliency of the United States and the need for the people to continue to support the ideals of freedom that have made the country so successful. The people were challenged to “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Kennedy successfully appeals to the pathos of the audience in order to establish his views to be elaborated in the rest of his speech.
In the next portion of his address, John F. Kennedy discusses his international views. He strategically uses anaphora to break his ideas into segments. After saying that the United States under his presidency will pledge to achieve several different things, he explains what the pledges are in segments beginning with “to.” It effectively separates his ideas and lets his audience know he is beginning to speak of a different pledge than the one before. Kennedy pledges that the United States will unify with other countries even if their