Rhetorical Features of Lyndon B. Johnson’s Presidencial Acceptance Speech

Both JFK and Johnson were highly famous, yet controversial presidents. Elected in 1960 as the 35th president of the US, 43-year-old John F. Kennedy was the youngest man to run in office. As president, Kennedy endured to tense Cold War strains in Cuba, Vietnam and elsewhere. He additionally drove a reestablished drive for an open administration and in the long run gave government support to the developing social equality development. On November 22, 1963 JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His successor, Johnson, took over as president for a brief period of time. In spite of his noteworthy accomplishments in mainland US, Johnson's legacy was characterized by his inability to lead

On April 4, 1968 Robert F. Kennedy began his political campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in Indiana. Before boarding his plane, Kennedy found out that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot in Memphis, Tennessee. At his arrival in Indianapolis, Kennedy was informed that Martin Luther King, Jr. had died from the incident. Kennedy was scheduled to speak to a large African-American audience, and was advised by the Indianapolis Police to not speak. The Chief of Police warned Kennedy that he would not be responsible for whatever may happen, making this speech even more dangerous. Kennedy chose to ignore the warning signs, went into the conference campaign, and spoke to the audience. Robert Kennedy, putting his political aspirations aside, advises the Indianapolis African-American audience not to retaliate to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination with violence, but with prayer, understanding, and love as Martin Luther King, Jr. taught. This is done through the use of motivational appeals, rhetorical devices, and expressing to the audience a purpose.

After Kennedy’s assassination, the country mourned and Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency and began to finish the work that JFK started.

Lyndon B. Johnson orchestrated a strong, strategic speech on the day of March 15,1965. His speech was striving to persuade the nation to pass a bill which would give African- Americans additional rights to vote. Throughout his speech, Lyndon B. Johnson demonstrates all men are equal and should have equal rights through his utilization of repetition, pathos, and rhetorical questions.

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.

President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered on the most famous and fascinating speeches in American history on March 15 1965. The speech was inspired over the situation that occurred in Selma, Alabama one week earlier. African Americans were protesting over voting rights, as due to manipulation of the voting system by whites. The purpose of President Johnson’s speech was to convince Congress and Americans to pass his bill on voting reformation. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech is rhetorically effective, by using strategies such as kairos, pathos, logos and ethos.

On Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, John Kennedy hoped to gain support for the upcoming election. Kennedy, who was accompanied by his wife Jaqueline, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson, Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas, Governor John B. Connally, and Mrs. Connally was riding in an open car in a motorcade driving from Love Field airport to the Dallas Trade Mart (“Kennedy”). At 12:30 p.m. CST, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot (“Kennedy”). The fearless John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy seemed to know that death would eventually arrive at his doorstep, as it did. Although one shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, was able to slay the president, questions still remain if he was the one and only shooter. Many unanswered

Kennedy was assassinated,this horrible event was the beginning of a new era for a new president. Lyndon B. Johnson was the vise president for JFK, throughout the 1950’s he worked to obstruct the passage and enforcement of civil right laws. Lyndon B. Johnson reassured a grieving nation that “the ideas and the ideals which Kennedy so nobly represented must and will be translated into effective action.” That is exactly what Lyndon B. Johnson did, in his first term he accomplished many goals and displayed dedication to reunite America. On July 2, 1964 Johnson signed the Civil Right Movement, it prohibited discrimination in most places of public accommodation; outlawed discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color,religion, sex or national origin. The Civil Right Movement was the most significant civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, it was the beginning of the colored people’s success. This legislation not only made America an equal field for everyone, but Johnson started to earn the support and love from the Americans, specifically the African Americans. Lyndon B. Johnson was reelection in 1964, capturing 61% of the popular vote and 94% casted ballots for Johnson. In August 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Accomplishing this in his second term was an outstanding accomplishment, not only did Johnson keep his word but also is demonstrating that he is ready to do more for the country. This victory streak didn’t last forever, America got involved in War. LBJ’s presidency was dominated by the Vietnam War. United States attacked villagers and their homes, American citizens had no idea. The U.S had many as 4 million people into refugees, refugees that were innocent and noble people. By late 1968, the U.S

Johnson also displays logos throughout his speech. This technique is very good for persuading an audience by reason. The first example of logos is when Johnson says, “No words are strong enough to express our determination to continue the forward thrust of America that he began” (1). Johnson is trying to encourage the country to move forward, since it is the only sensible action to do after an assassination of a president. Throughout the speech, Johnson also tries to explain that the Americans should work together as united people for a united purpose.

John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech is certainly one to remember. It’s memorable not for its length, but for the effective content that it beholds. He entices readers by the use of strong rhetoric techniques. His inaugural analyzes style of writing, such as diction, tropes, schemes, and syntax, and applies the concept of it effectively throughout the speech. A reader performs rhetorical analysis to examine how authors attempt to persuade their audiences by looking at the various components that make up the art of persuasion. Moreover, it is most essential to be able to understand the relationship among the speaker, subject, and audience, which President Kennedy adequately exploits in his speech.

Kennedy continues his appeal to emotion with a weaker, yet still successful attempt. Around election time, seemingly all American’s reveal their inner-patriot, understanding this Kennedy speaks to that inner patriot. Speaking of foreign affairs, he says, “…let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.”(3) This appeal is successful, as speaking of the Hemisphere as a whole represents unity, and also reaches out to the pride within the audience, stating that Americans shall remain in power of all they have worked so hard to obtain.

Speaker Lyndon B. Johnson in his speech, we shall overcome, emphasizes the Civil Rights Movement problem as not one group of people but America as a whole. Johnson’s purpose is to persuade America that this is the nation’s problem. He adopts a persuasive tone in order to support that there is a problem throughout the country. Johnson uses alliteration to prove what he is going to be speaking about and for what he is speaking saying, “I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy.” This device is important in the fact that it draws in the audience by explaining what he is going to be speaking about.

After the unprecedented assassination of President John F. Kennedy, our nation was overcome with shock and grief. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was sworn in as the next president within hours after this tragic event. Because of his leadership, he was the building block to bring the nation back together and get through the death of our beloved deceased President. Lyndon Johnson, the 36th president, also known as “LBJ”, became one of the most outspoken and controversial leaders of America.

On Friday, January 20, 1961 John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered his inaugural address in front of President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, and millions of American Citizens. Kennedy wanted to put a message out to America that gives an example of what he will accomplish during his years in office. In order to portray his message clearly, he uses many different rhetorical devices, including anaphora, chiasmus, and scesis onomaton. J.F.K’s Inaugural Address was full of rhetorical devices. He uses many devices throughout his Address, while maintaining a conversational structure to portray his message of what is to come.

On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, accompanied by the First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, traveled in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas with Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie on a campaign trip preparing for the upcoming presidential election. Moving seamlessly through Dealey Plaza, the limousine was suddenly fired at from a nearby warehouse shortly after noon. Governor Connally was left wounded while President Kennedy, who was hit twice, was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where he died moments after arrival. At 2:38 P.M., Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson took the Oath of Office on Air Force One with Jackie Kennedy by his side. Minutes later, the plane took off for Washington, D.C. (“November 22, 1963” 1, 3). Hours