A Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

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Nicholas R. Cortez AP. Language Friday, October 7th, 2016 Rhetorical Analysis Paper John F. Kennedy, one of the past presidents of America, is also one of the last Presidents to fully write his own speech. This being truly fantastic, also leaves room for the more personable tone of Kennedy 's speech. For example, his tone is very teacher like, or peremptory, and over the course of the whole speech, he also shows prodigious word diction, and also unbelievable syntax. However, I personally would like to allude to his values and presupposition on his own thoughts over biblical beliefs and his choice of imagery words and phrases. John F. Kennedy was one of the last presidents to fully write his own speech, and after his time, the president …show more content…

Another amazing thing Kennedy choses to do, is indirectly refer to god, at least most of the time. Kennedy, being the first Catholic president, has a difficult time in his run for office due to one major opinion: that he will break the barrier that lies between church and state. Although he mentions god directly in certain parts, as in line 2, “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.”, He also decides to allude to a biblical standpoint, and only those who read the bible would understand. For example, he chooses to talk about oppression in general, and quotes directly from the old testament. From his exact words in line 19, when he says “Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah – to “undo the heavy burdens…and to let the oppressed go free.” To anyone not familiar to the bible, they might be somewhat confused; However, to someone

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