Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inauguration Speech

295 Words2 Pages

John F. Kennedy was the youngest president of America, but one of the most approved. At 43 years old, in 1960, during the Cold War as well as the Civil Right’s Movement, Kennedy was elected the leader of the free world. He won against his competitor, Nixon, by only a sparse amount; however, soon after his inauguration speech, with approval ratings at seventy-five percent, the United States’ citizens were convinced they had made the most suitable choice for their country. Aiming to persuade the community to join in his efforts to find tranquility throughout the world, Kennedy’s inauguration speech focused on opponents of the Cold War as well as America’s people. Kennedy uses several rhetorical strategies to get his yearning for a Nation that acts not individually but as a single organism across in his inauguration speech on January 20, 1961. …show more content…

An illustration of this anthesis can be found on lines XVIII and XVIV in paragraph IV, “ united there is little we cannot do…. Divided there is little we can do,” in this piece Kennedy relays on to how little can be accomplished if everyone is not working toward the same goal, whereas, if everyone works together there is scarce that can not be accomplished relating back to his focus on unity. Additionally, the text, “ [W]e shall support any friend, oppose any foe,” also presents anthesis through the contrasting words of, “oppose,” and, “support,” as well as, “friend,” and, “foe.” This exemplifies his preeminent intent of unison through the way he starts, “we,” signifying a togetherness between himself as well as the nation and who they will be helping or

Open Document