Rhetorical Analysis Of We Choose To Go To The Moon Speech

Professor Alles

ENGL 191

03/23/23

Carter Arent

President John F. Kennedy delivered his famous “We choose to go to the moon” speech at Rice University in Houston, Texas on September 12, 1962. The speech announced the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and bringing him back safely to Earth before the end of the decade. This speech has become widely recognized as one of the greatest speeches in American history, and is revered for its effective use of rhetorical strategies. JFK masterfully employs ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade his audience of the importance and feasibility of the mission. Specifically, he uses ethos to appeal to his audience's perception of his credibility and character, drawing upon his reputation, expertise,

He appeals to their sense of pride in American achievements, stating, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win." (Kennedy, 1962). By emphasizing the difficulty and importance of the goal, JFK creates a sense of pride and determination in the audience, inspiring them to support the effort to land a man on the moon. Additionally, he appeals to their sense of wonder and curiosity about space, stating, "We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people." (Kennedy, 1962). This use of pathos reinforces the idea that space exploration represents a grand adventure and an opportunity for discovery, tapping into the audience's sense of wonder and curiosity. Finally, JFK appeals to their concern for the future of humanity, stating, "For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace." (Kennedy, 1962).

By appealing to national pride and a sense of adventure, he was able to galvanize public support for the moon landing and increased a sense of unity among Americans. As the Apollo missions were successfully completed, the United States demonstrated its technological superiority and established itself as a global leader in science and technology. As historian John M. Logsdon noted, "The decision to go to the Moon created the framework for the United States to become the world's leader in space exploration." JFK's speech played a significant role in this achievement by setting a clear goal and inspiring the American public to work towards