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
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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
John F. Kennedy will always be remembered for two things; his triumphant inauguration and his tragic assassination. After being sworn in, Kennedy gave the traditional inaugural speech. He addressed America, as well as the rest of the world, to inform them what his intentions were during his presidency. By referencing current events such as the Cold War, he was able to identify dilemmas in need of a remedy. Kennedy's overall message was meant to inspire his nation and convey strength and hope to the world abroad. At the beginning of his speech, Kennedy condensed his message. He stated the problems in need of fixing during his presidency while also proposing solutions for them. By doing this, Kennedy was able to evoke confidence from Americans that he will follow through with his claims. Kennedy used anaphora, allusions, and emotional appeal to create an effective argument in the first half of his inaugural speech.
President Kennedy always wanted above average and never wanted to settle for good, but for greatness. His inaugural address was his first step into greatness. He was a firm believer in unity and being together as one in this country. Throughout his short, but successful presidency, he shows how important togetherness is to make the country strong. January 1961, John F. Kennedy became the 35th president of the states and was giving his inaugural address. John F. Kennedy’s pathos, logos, and repetition in the speech allow the American people to be eager for his presidency and allow them to see the changes he foresees for the country during his term.
Logos is a literary device that can be defined as a statement, argument, or sentence. Kennedy uses logos as he brings in many statistics and facts into the speech. For example “employment costs per unit steel output in 1961 were essentially the same as they were in 1958.”
On Friday, January 20, 1961, in the midst of physical cold and mental Cold War fears, John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the citizens of America and the world, assuring his audience that peace will prevail, and that America, as a unified superpower, will lead the world once again into a new era of peace. His speech, infused with rhetorical appeals, has an anxious and discontent tone, calling for change and the implementation of his vision. To express his vision, Kennedy used various tools such as anaphoras, diction, and antithesis to form rhetorical appeals that effectively communicate his vision of peace.
Throughout Kennedy’s speech you can see many different types of these devices first off, I would like to bring your attention to parallelism. The definition of Parallelism is “Uses of words or phrases in a similar structure”. In his speech he come right out of the gate in the first 5-6 paragraphs and begins to show this. For example on Page (283) Kennedy says, “To those who old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty for old faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of co-operative (SAS) ventures. Divided, there is little we can do, for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder”. Furthermore he then directly goes into his next statement by saying “To those”. I also think that one of the man reasons his speech captivated not only America's people but many other nations, was due to how he connected with the audience.
In John F Kennedy’s “Inaugural address”, he tries to bring the nation together by speaking confidently and powerful. Kennedy’s vigorous use of rhetorical devices including Antithesis, Reasoning, Emotional Appeal, Allusion, and Anaphora that contribute to the success of his speech. JFK uses these rhetorical devices to convey his ambitions and hopes for america as a nation in a whole. Also hoping for a pledge of peace; that we do not show weakness. In his hopes of coming together our acts individually would make us look and be stronger. Kennedy used his speech as a way to draw all of the audience in by pulling us together.
Prior to John F. Kennedy’s inauguration was, of course, the election of 1960, in which Kennedy went face to face with Richard Nixon on issues such as, the Cold War, Kennedy’s religious beliefs, and the display of each’s competence. In Kennedy’s inaugural address, he not only alludes, but also addresses to the Cold War, and makes mention of his future plans and Roman Catholic religious beliefs; and, he does so through use of allusions and anaphoras. Through the use of allusions and anaphoras, Kennedy effectively achieves his purpose of fulfilling citizen’s expectations, addressing the Cold War, and stating the United States’s future plans to his audience, the United States of America and other nations, through emphasis and rhetorical appeals towards pathos and ethos.
Language plays a crucial role in the development of power. Famous personalities in the United States use rhetorical devices to emphasize a specific point and make it clear to the audience. President Thomas Jefferson is a Democratic-Republican and won the election of 1800. In 1801 he presented his inauguration speech and was significant because it was the first time in the history when the power shifted from one party to the other. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as an American minister and played an active role in the civil rights movement. John F. Kennedy delivered his speech during his inauguration in order to develop relations with the Soviet Union and end Cold War. All the speeches were delivered by most known personalities and made use of rhetorical devices such as allusion and repetition to make their message memorable in the hearts of the citizens of America.
One of the most influential presidents in United States history, John F. Kennedy was a brilliant politician and public speaker. In his inaugural address, he sparked hope around the world by discussing the hardships faced by all of society in the present time and then leaving them with a message of freedom, power, and hope. This measure of impact is not achieved easily; Kennedy masterfully utilized the art of rhetoric to emphasize his message and win the hearts of his people. In the middle of the speech, he discusses the dangers of the modern world and his drive toward international peace and cooperation. These messages are stressed through his use of charismatic language to signify his vision of a new and better world.
It’s January 20, 1961. Inauguration day for president Kennedy. Entering his first term as president of the United States, he has to give the “Inaugural Address.” As president of the United States he needs to address his voters and the american people in person or through a television broadcast about his future goals and aspirations. During the transfer of power the US is going on there 14th year of the Cold War. The american people are fearful of a nuclear war and the other half wants to go to war. JFK wants diplomatic negotiations towards peace. JFK uses rhetorical devices in his “Inaugural Address” to influence the american people
The Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, was written to notify the American people with not only the hopes and dreams that Kennedy had for the country, but how he was going to accomplish them. Inside Kennedy’s, Inauguration, 50 Years On, is the explanations of numerous people on what
John F Kennedy’s inaugural speech is widely considered one of the best speeches ever given. By the time Kennedy was elected, he had earned a degree from Harvard University, spent time in the Navy during the Second World War, and was already enjoying a successful political career serving in both houses of Congress. Kennedy delivered his eloquent inaugural speech to thousands of people on the steps of the Capitol building and millions more watching the broadcast on television which was the first to be shown in color. Something that I believe that he did better than other political speakers is that not only did he attempt to comfort his audience of the fear of the spread of communism, but he also successfully maintained the same tone throughout his speech; not only did that make his speech easier to comprehend and well received but it has continued to inspire generations since. Ultimately, the newly elected president delivered one of the most quoted and well known inaugural speeches to date.
The first document JFK talks about on how he will move the country forward with him in place. The document included a lot of style and rhetorical devices. For example he used Anastrophe when he said “This much we pledge, and more” to emphasise his contribution with everyone else. John F. Kennedy was seen a president for the people and they appraised him for it. He uses lots of rhetorical devices to his message across. It makes him sound like a true president for the people as in he wants to help out the community rather than just to do business. One of the other examples in this document was when he states “and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” was used as a metaphor. This example showed John F. Kennedy feelings to those who choose to side with a communist way of ruling a country. When he says this it’s very clear what side he is on. Aswell he uses it as a way to inform people that communist countries aren’t the way to go and there very dangerous. As
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech used powerful and emotional words such as freedom, new generation, and devotion to symbolize the new life that was ahead of them and the promises he was proposing. Kennedy also used repetition of his promises to show people that he was passionate about them. Throughout his speech, there was differences in sentence variety. The short sentences portrayed authority and pride, while the longer sentences allowed him to elaborate on his ideas. These longer and more complex sentences helped support his main purpose. Along with using strong words, he used words that helped set a formal tone for his speech. Words such as forebears and asunder help the audience recognize the formality and respect in his tone.
An analysis of John F. Kennedy reveals a myriad of ideas that he had for the people of America. This is despite the rhetoric that was present in his speech; three dominant themes emerged from his Inaugural address. These are freedom, leadership and the use of rhetoric in addressing multitudes.