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Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

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Proving Worthy An optimistic, new President, John F. Kennedy encourages the nation to commence with him in unifying the nation. “Let us begin” together is Kennedy’s inaugural trumpet call (Paragraph 21). Eager to prove himself a competent leader, JFK utilizes religious pathos, anaphora and contrast to encourage supportive unity in his American audience. As a devout Catholic and Christian, Kennedy recognizes the power and responsibility man has been given was granted by God. Through the appeal to religious pathos, JFK elicits in the audience a need to recognize him as the President, thus effectually uniting the nation. JFK addresses America in saying, “…The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God” (Paragraph 3). Appealing to the audience, JFK is reassuring …show more content…

Introducing the sentences, he uses the phrases, “Let both sides”, and, in speaking to different audiences, “My fellow …” and “To those…” The effect of the hortative sentences connotes a tone of authority and elicits a sense of encouragement, bringing a sense of unification and willingness to unify the audience with the new President. JFK exhorts his audience through the use of anaphora, the repetitions of a repeated phrase, to seek for “what problems unite” both sides. JFK proposes his resolution in resolving the “how” to unite two contending sides. The audience is encouraged by his optimistic approach in both sides coming together as one. “Let both sides” be united in a common cause (Paragraphs 16-19). Tactfully, JFK has introduced to America a presidential goal he is seeking to accomplish during his term in office. The effect Kennedy has created by addressing the specific group when speaking of his audience-specific goals creates the inception of trust to build between the new leader and the

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