John F Kennedy Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay
When John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1961, the United States was amidst the Cold War, and the threat of atomic war was on everyone’s mind. John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech aimed to reassure Americans that the state of the world is change through unity. Through a neo-Aristotelian lens, his speech is extremely effective. The purpose of neo-Aristotelian criticism is to establish the goals of the rhetor and to determine if the rhetor used the most appropriate means of persuasion. John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, born into a wealthy, educated family. In addition, Kennedy was the first president born in the twentieth century. This affects his character as a rhetor because he symbolizes a new generation …show more content…
In his speech, Kennedy highlighted that his goal was to bring change as a leader, and addressing the USSR, did not want to continue in the Cold War. As an inauguration speech, Kennedy’s goal was to inform the country, as well as the world, of his intentions as a leader. The first instance of Kennedy using rhetoric to meet this goal is through his use of ethos, pathos and logos. Using these Aristotelian proofs allowed him to evoke the intended response, from the immediate audience. Kennedy’s use of ethos and pathos makes the audience feel a strong bond to him, as they are all of a new generation, which implies that they can bring change. The bond created by using Aristotelian proofs allowed Kennedy to fulfill his goal of gaining the audience’s trust. Kennedy’s most prominent rhetoric method was seen in his word choice. His use of repetition persuaded his global audience because he shows that he has something to offer to his broader audience and that his pledges to other countries are such that one promise does not trump another. In addition, Kennedy’s speech’s impact is seen in that it lead to the creation of the Peace Corps. Kennedy was able to ignite a desire for unity and for making “God’s work [their] own”. Kennedy’s iconic “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” demonstrates the rhetorical strategy chiasmus, as well as the long term impact of his speech on
John F Kennedy Inaugural Address Ethos Pathos Logos
632 Words | 3 PagesIn the 1960s America had just gotten out of a war and Rising tensions with the Soviets we expected to get into another one, along with that John F. Kennedy just got elected, this is what he has to say. It was 1961 when Kennedy gave his inaugural speech, it was practically oozing with rhetorical strategies. Kennedy new kind of state Country was in, so with this speech he needed to comfort the people of America, he does this by using rhetorical strategies ethos, pathos, logos. First we will evaluate the ethos / logos.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Speech
639 Words | 3 PagesKyle Seager Dr. Restivo AP English Language and Composition 4 November 2014 JFK Rhetorical Analysis President Kennedy inspires the American populace through his figurative language and uplifting tone. President Kennedy employs a wide array of rhetorical techniques to inspire the American population. Kennedy wastes no time in building up to these techniques; on the contrary his first actual sentence of the speech employs antithesis in the line "symbolizing an end as well as a beginning- signifying renewal as well as a change. "
Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address
555 Words | 3 PagesJohn F. Kennedy, a honorable President , influences lots of people. He was the 35th president of the United States. He influenced people because of his speeches and of his accomplishments to the USA. He promoted programs, jobs, and more to people so that they can be satisfied. He was one of the best president in all history that wanted other countries and the USA to improve.
Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Speech
630 Words | 3 Pages“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” With these words, John F Kennedy marked his presidency as one of communal dedication and sacrifice. A year later, in the midst of a recession, steel companies raised prices by 3.5% at the cost of its workers and the public good, inciting a public outcry against corporate greed. In stride with the people, John F Kennedy’s response vindicated their anger, reinforced unity, and called out for the steel companies’ reform through contextualization of the steel companies’ actions, powerful logos defining their motivations, and an overarching pathos that villainizes these actions, and reinforces the patriotism of his listeners.
Summary Of Jfk Inaugural Address
459 Words | 2 PagesOn January 20, 1961, forty-three-year-old John F, Kennedy delivered his inaugural address in Washington D.C after being sworn in as the thirty-fifth United States President. He memorably captured the attention of the entire nation with one of the finest speeches written to date, tugging on the heartstrings and logistically addressing the worries of many Americans. Making his point clear and comprehendible, Kennedy reached larger audiences than his predecessors, bringing a sense of calmness to the public during the height of the Cold War, national talk of communism, and the impending fear of nuclear attacks. He took austere consideration to the chaos erupting both internationally and nationally by instilling a sense of union amongst Americans in attempts to creating lasting peace. Utilizing a fearless rhythm of persuasiveness and motivational tactics, Kennedy connects to his audience through emotional
Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy Inaugural Address
987 Words | 4 PagesOn January 20th, 1961, our 35th president, John F. Kennedy, delivered his nationalistic “Inaugural Address” giving the United States an opportunity to realize that every day is another celebration of freedom for our country. The pensive speech depicted not only an end, but also a bright beginning to our everyday society. The main focus point for John F. Kennedy's speech, the “Inaugural Address”, was to introduce peace to any problematic situation that came across humankind. When there was a problem in the United States or an international trouble, there was always a resolution to the conflicts that faced America. In addition, while competing through war against enemy countries or racing to end global hunger, John F. Kennedy was the optimistic
John F Kennedy's Modes Of Persuasion
597 Words | 3 PagesThe power of persuasion is one that has proved its influence all throughout the history of humanity, convincing the masses to think as one body. This talent is not without practice or order however, even those talented with influence must be organized and eloquently sew their words together to prove a point. Only arguments that can appeal to all are able to be successful. In President John F. Kennedy’s Speech “Peace Speech”, examples of Aristotle's Modes of Persuasion are used. Kennedy uses the appeal of his credibility (Ethos), emotion (Pathos), and logic (Logos) to support his argument against war.
Ethos And Logos In John F Kennedy's Speech
587 Words | 3 PagesJohn F. Kennedy discusses and analyzes on how the nation differs from the past and present day in that time period. Kennedy narrators on the division and war in the the world to appeal to the audience patriotism by using pathos and logos. In this speech President Kennedy states “to thoses who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin the quest for peace, before the dark power of destruction unleashed.” He uses this quote to obtain a logical appeal to the appeal to the people. Kennedy uses logos to show that he wants the nation to come together and be humble together in one peace.
Anaphora In Jfk Inaugural Address
553 Words | 3 PagesHe used rhetorical devices such as anaphora, parallel structure, and rhetorical questions to appeal to the listener and future reader’s sense of pathos. In Kennedy’s address to the nation, he used anaphora to trigger an emotional response from the listener. He gives the listener a sense of safety under his control, as he wants to “Let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear.
Jfk Inaugural Speech Rhetorical Analysis
593 Words | 3 PagesLastly Kennedy states, “ My fellow citizens of the world; ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” In this famous quote from Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he says that together, the people of America can do
Rhetorical Analysis Of Kennedy's Inaugural Address
1817 Words | 8 PagesIn his speech Kennedy uses different rhetorical devices to unify the citizens of both the United States and the world. Kennedy was giving this speech after winning by a very small margin of votes so he was trying to unite the people of the United States and show he was the correct choice for the president. This speech was given during the Cold War so he was trying to connect the people around the whole world and establish peace. Kennedy was able to unify the people and try to establish peace while at the same time making himself seem like a very competent leader. In his speech Kennedy tries to build his credibility as a personable leader by creating ethos.
Martin Luther King Jfk Ethos Pathos Logos
487 Words | 2 PagesOn the tragic evening of April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in Memphis, Tennessee and died. Kennedy is running for president when he learns of peace advocate, Martin Luther Jr.’s assassination. In the persuasive speech, “Robert Kennedy on the Death of Martin Luther King, Jr,” Kennedy uses all three rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade his audience to stay calm and work for peaceful solutions. Although all three devices are utilized, the two used most effectively are pathos and logos. Pathos is used to describe the ideal world Martin Luther King envisioned by influencing the audience's emotion.
Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Ethos
448 Words | 2 PagesAs the 35th President of the United States of America during the year 1961, John F. Kennedy was an effective speaker regarding his rhetorical use of ethos. This alone gives John F. Kennedy credibility as he was the President of the United States. Before Kennedy became president, he obtained a college education at Harvard University. All the while Kennedy managed to serve in the United States Navy only to enter the field of politics after WWII. This significantly affects Kennedy’s ethos because he developed a greater education through means of college as well as a military proficiency in his time of service during WWII.
Ap Language In Jfk Inaugural Address
1283 Words | 6 PagesAddie Yarrow Ms. Sanson AP Language and Composition 17 February 2023 Title In his 1961 Inaugural Address, former President John F. Kennedy famously beckoned for the American people to “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was with these words that Kennedy, the historically young, Massachusetts-born, democrat sparked a sense of unity within a fear-stricken nation. In his speech, Kennedy addresses the nation so as to lay out his administration’s values, but more importantly, he calls to action both Americans and nations of the world in order to fight for and preserve the “freedom of man.”
Rhetorical Analysis: Kennedy's Inaugural Speech
1141 Words | 5 PagesIn fact, Kennedy accomplished his goal and is still remembered today, as the best speech ever written and delivered. Kennedy presents his speech with strong Aristotelian appeals of ethos, pathos and the stylistic devices of alliteration and antithesis. Kennedy accomplished what every speaker strives for and surpassed it by capturing the hearts of the audience and inspiring the people’s trust. Ethos is a very important rhetorical device in speeches because it establishes a sense of credibility and trustworthiness with the audience. Ethos permits the audience to feel a sense of trust that is missing in some people’s speeches.
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