preview

How Did JFK Inaugural Address

Decent Essays

Sara Arbelaez
Professor McBride
ENG 0701-063
October 3rd, 2015

JFK Inaugural Address
On January 20th, 1961 President John F. Kennedy read one of the most famous inaugural addresses in US history. His inaugural address was clear and short. He mainly focused on foreign policy. One of John F. Kennedy's most memorable lines in his inaugural address was "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" (JFK 429). He inspired Americans to take responsibility for themselves for improving the state of our nation. John F. Kennedy sounded patriotic and spoke with honor in front of thousands of people. Throughout his inaugural address, he used …show more content…

The simple language words such as “power” and “free” were used throughout his speech as he spoke about the United States. “Power and “free” are considered to be simple words because they are easy to understand. In Kennedys speech, “language is simple; in the engineering process, difficult words or images-which in other forms of communication may be used to lend color or shades of meaning-are replaced by simple words or images less vulnerable to misinterpretation” (O’Neill 351). James T. Snyder said “in addition to imparting information, a speech must move people. The goal is to make the listeners think, care, respond, act” (Snyder 406). JFK moved people in his speech because he was patriotic which made people believe that the country was in good hands. My face was lightened when reading the inguinal address because you could here all of the pride. John F. Kennedy used Snyder’s “Tip #4: Find a Unifying Theme” which is “a single theme or vision that fits the content, tone, and temperament of the entire speech. Change. Progress. Growth. Success. Finding that theme help in organizing the speech logically” (Snyder …show more content…

Logos was used in JFK’s speech by using logic. President John F. Kennedys main focus throughout his speech was basically negotiating foreign affairs and policies. He said, "those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside" (JFK 427). Kennedy used many facts about the spread of communism throughout the world. President Kennedy also included many facts about the cold war and the spread of communism in Russia. He wanted to create plans and agreements with Russia as well. JFK said, “Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms – and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations."(JFK 428). Kennedy feels that he should bring nations together to create peace and he wants to get rid of communism that is occurring in some of the

Get Access