John Kennedy's Inaugural Address Essay

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.

One of the most predominant appeals used by both presidents are appeals to pathos, however Roosevelt uses more threatening language that convinces more of his audience of his argument compared to Kennedy. In Roosevelt’s speech, he uses mainly appeals of fear, as he introduces his argument with this appeal, stating, “I use the word ‘unprecedented,’ because at no previous time has American

The thesis of “President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address” speech is that united we (America) can do anything. He integrates the ideas of unity, helping others and power to help convey the idea of patriotism. Kennedy starts the speech by saying “We observe today not a victory of party” (1) which emphasizes the importance of America being united. Instead of saying “I think”, for example he said “we think” making everyone feel like they are included and that their opinions are significant. Further through the speech Kennedy comments on how much ability Americans have as “world leader”.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy sought to inspire the nation in the Inaugural Address, by sending a message abroad signaling the challenges of the Cold War and his hope for peace in the nuclear age addressing not only Americans but to people all over the world. In his speech, he used many rhetorical devices, such as metaphor and anaphora, to make his speech effective, easier to understand by being brief, and captivating his audience. A metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things or the representation of one thing by another. John F. Kennedy’s speech is composed of short phrases and words, making it easy to understand. By comparing two unrelated things, his message to the audience is even stronger.

In his Inaugural Address, Roosevelt recognized America becoming a highly capable nation. As its influence spread, Roosevelt declared that America must become the force that establishes peace around the world. He states in his speech that the him and the American people have duties to ourselves and other people which are both of utmost importance. Because of this, Roosevelt wanted to make it known that a nation’s sense of justice and hospitality truly matter and are

Roosevelt also uses this main topic for the mood of his entire speech; detailing the hopelessness that these families feel during this crucial time. Another great rhetoric device that Roosevelt utilizes in his speech is that of religion. In the closing statement of his inaugural speech, Roosevelt asks that, “In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He guide me in the days to come.”  His reference to God was added in an attempt to bring together the American people even in the greatest despair by using the topic most relatable for people, especially at this time. Roosevelt also declares that, “These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.” Not only has he successfully engineered his speech in a way that puts audience members in the same state of mind, but he also goes on to enlighten these very same people to further instill hope and pride. Not only is this an effective rhetoric in his speech,

Throughout his Farewell Address, Reagan employs syntax to advance his purpose of the unification of America, when he says “We’ve got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom-freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare. It’s fragile; it needs protection.” he repeats the word freedom many times, which invokes the feeling of pride and patriotism to the audience and expresses that America is a very prominent symbol of freedom, people from all around the world come to America because when they think of America, they think of total freedom. Reagan also emphasizes how Americans need to teach their children of the pride and spirit of America, for the betterment of America’s future society. Moreover, points out three particular freedoms America provides, Freedom of

Throughout the history of America, many Americans voted on leaders to guide us into prosperity and peace. When they are elected, they promise the people-through an address- to fix the changes their predecessors created. In the inaugural addresses of Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama, they discuss what they want done through different styles of writing. However they share similar qualities as well. Barack and Jefferson focus on unification while Reagan focuses on the economy.

Both Roosevelt's “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy's Inaugural Address discuss freedom. Throughout reading two similar speeches, they had one specific thing in common. With both presidents taking the same solemn oath, they address the state of America at the very beginning of their presidency. Making their outline plan clear as possible to the American citizens for the next four years they will be in office. Explaining to all of America that they are willing to work with other countries to help their bonds become stronger than they are during this time. Therefore, building a stronger country.

In the general purposes of the three inaugural addresses of FDR, JFK and Barack Obama, they were focused on appreciating the constitutional process which involves the inauguration of the U.S president. For example, recently, President Obama stated in his speech that people gathers each year to observe the enduring strength of the U.S and the act of democracy. FDR also appreciated the need for the inauguration in upholding the constitutional values and cultures.

As a new President takes office, it is the inauguration address that marks the beginning of their term. This formal speech marks the first time the President lays out his intentions as the leader of the country. The inaugural addresses often make promises to address the nations concerns and issues. Usually the addresses that have the greatest impact, are the ones most remembered. Consider President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Barrack Obama, both of these Presidents gave strong inauguration addresses, however it was Roosevelt’s words that seemed more realistic, and ultimately had a greater impact for the American public.

John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917, the second of nine children. He was a US statesman and our 35th president. He came from a family with a history of good politics. As an infant he lived in a comfortable but modest frame house in that suburb of Boston. As the family got larger and the father's income and fortune increased, the Kennedys moved to larger, more impressive homes. Their first home was in Brookline, followed by the suburbs of New York City. John F. Kennedy had a happy childhood that was full of family games and sports. He attended many different private elementary schools, which were all non parochial. He later spent a year at Canterbury School in New Milford,

Kennedy begins his speech expressing how “the world is very different” from what it used to be. He uses multiple rhetorical strategies that express and describe how he is going to lead their “very different” country by providing his audience with a sense of community. For example, Kennedy applies juxtaposition to his phrase, “United there is little we cannot do… Divided there is little we can do…” to compare what America can and can’t do when everyone is united. During the time when Kennedy was elected president, the Cold War was at peak of its period. He bravely announced that “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty,” using the rhetorical strategy asyndeton. He uses this particular mechanism to attract his audience and give emphasis to the ideas he wants to communicate. He starts the phrase off with “we,” as he wishes to convey to his listeners that we are going to pay any price, that we are going to bear any burden, that

John F. Kennedy once said, “I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President, who happens also to be a Catholic.” In this single sentence, he uses a method of Aristotle’s persuasive speech making. One of the greatest examples of using rhetorical strategies is indeed John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address of 1961. John F. Kennedy uses diction, syntax, and Aristotle’s method of persuasion in his inaugural address that not only made it uniquely his own, but made it undoubtedly one of the best, emotion tugging, speeches ever.

Reagan, Ronald Wilson. “Inaugural Address.” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, University of Texas. 20 January 1981. Web. 14 December 2014.