John F Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

On a cold January day America’s newly appointed president John F. Kennedy delivered his inauguration address that was incredibly important to America’s success during the Cold War. Kennedy uses his speech as a call to arms, but not only to America but the World and our allies as a whole. He uses his strong powerful voice to appeal to the ethics of the country in the beginning of his speech telling America about the promise we made when we were founded and that we must uphold it still today, telling America we must make a difference. Kennedy also uses ethics to explain that we the people are united no matter what your background or where you are from, he refers to the Americas as one place, because he wants for us to feel unified not divided. Furthermore Kennedy’s use of powerful imagery, logic and pathos allows for him to effectively call the people of the World together during this terrible time.

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.

John F. Kennedy incorporates diverse rhetorical devices into his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961. Kennedy proves to be selective with his diction by using words such as “we” and “us” to integrate his audience into his speech to provide a more personal tone. The diction Kennedy uses displays his value of national unity in a personal context. Kennedy successfully invokes the audience’s emotions throughout his speech by addressing each of them as his “fellow Americans”. JFK manages to maintain a clear, conversational tone, and compelling structure by using literary devices such as anaphora, speaking with clear diction, and addressing his listeners emotional appeal.

With the appropriate use of rhetoric, one can captivate the attention of millions, as well as uniting a divided country. This is evident in John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s inaugural address given on a cold January afternoon in 1961. Having to be the first Roman Catholic president, many were skeptical of Kennedy; however, he developed a form of credibility with his associations as a war hero in World War II, three terms in the House of Representatives, and less than two terms as the junior senator from Massachusetts (Nelson). To unite the United States and reassure Americans of his duty as the president, John F. Kennedy used the rhetorical strategies of allusion and alliteration.

On Friday, January 20, 1961 John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to millions of Americans. This speech was not only in honor of his victory during the presidential election, but it was his way of uniting his audience into a conversation that included his beliefs and wants. In order to unite his listeners JFK successfully used several rhetorical devices, as well as emotional and personal appeals that helped him maintain a conversational tone as well as a clear and compelling structure.

With the Vietnam War affecting so many people across the world, Kennedy took extreme caution in what he said. His use of pathos includes many patriotic expressions and words to unite Americans. His phrases like “forge against these enemies,” (Kennedy par 23) “cultural and spiritual origins” (Kennedy par 6) and “a celebration of freedom” (Kennedy par 1) imply that the war is not simply a political issue, but a moral responsibility. On the other hand, though these phrases offer a feeling of civic duty, nothing compares to the legendary quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy par 25). This message is so powerful because it speaks of

John F. Kennedy was our 35th president and was elected in 1960. The words he chose in his inaugural address were very patriotic and inspiring then and now. Many things in his address leads to patriotic points and comparisons.His words are very inspiring and makes a person want to help their country out. H gives examples of ways we can approve the lifestyle of all americans.

John F Kennedy, 35th president of the United States Of America, in his inaugural speech, vocalizes his ideas for the country and its future through the use of many rhetorical devices such as diction, metaphors, ethos and rhetorical question to convince the people he is fit for the job of president. During the height of the cold war, John F. Kennedy was given the burden of solving the obstacle of the U.S.S.R. The gap between the presidential candidates was microscopic with John F Kennedy getting 49.72% of the votes and Nixon 49.55% of the votes. Most people believed that The now democratic president would get eaten alive in Russian negotiations and was unfit for the presidency. These factors made the speech that much more intense because he had to assure and calm the people who were in high doubt that JFK was the right person for the job. This is why he used these subtle but successful tactics to win the favor of the people and convince them to not only support him, but become active participants in their democracy.

On January 20th, 1961, 35th President John F Kennedy made his inaugural address to millions of Americans watching all over the nation. Throughout the speech he delivered, Kennedy spoke with confidence and

John F. Kennedy uses diction, antithesis, parallelism, and sentence structure in his inaugural address, in order to inspire and unite the American people.

Kennedy wanted the country to be strong. Telling us to ask what we can do for our country instead of ourselves. By making this place a better country, everybody can have a better life. Meanwhile, asking what can make your life better; only affects you. If everybody is happy, the country will be able to stand together easier.

Kennedy’s address upon swearing into the presidency of the United States effectively unites the people of America through his utilization of persuasive rhetoric. Kennedy’s strength in rhetoric lies with his ability to seek a commonplace with the audience. He repeatedly addresses his speech “to those” living in every type of situation both in America, and in the world as a whole. Kennedy brings “both sides” together at a middle ground where they both can agree. In his speech he unites the people of America to comply with him no matter their party affiliation. Kennedy’s productive anaphoras left no stone unturned when appealing to the masses. When he urges his audience to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your

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.

In American history, we have been tempered by wars, disease and infections, racism, poverty and freedom equality. However as a nation we have come together as one and prospered. In his Inaugural Address given on January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy’s central idea was for the citizens of the United States to become involved in overcoming any challenges and prospering.

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address was a powerful speech delivering a strong message. His uplifting speech inspired the audience a feeling of pride to successfully convey his ambitions and hopes for America. His use of rhetorical devices such as alliterations, antithesis, repetition and pathos help him deliver the purpose of the speech more effectively.