“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy said this famous quote in his inauguration speech on January 20, 1961. In his speech and during his campaign, he ensured the country that he would create stellar polices. His youthfulness brought hope to the country for a new age. This created confidence in his leadership and direction for the country. With this support behind him, he came into the presidency ready to influence change, in order for the country to thrive. In fact, the domestic policies he instilled did just this and if he had more time to gain knowledge on the Presidency, he could have made his foreign policies into great ones.
One of the greatest presidential terms began with one of the most remembered inaugural speeches of all time. As the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy gives his address to encourage the American people after the hardship and turmoil of the Cold War. Throughout his speech he lists his inspiring intentions to rebuild the future of this great nation. He instills a universal goal within the hearts of the American people and provides them with a sense of security and safety. Throughout the entirety of his address, Kennedy develops a compelling tone which enhances overwhelming feelings of patriotism within the souls of the American people. While accomplishing these objectives, Kennedy creatively
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.
During Kennedy’s speech The United States of America was going through quiet a mess. America was facing horrible situations, such as the rise of The Cold War, The Great Depression, racial problems, fighting communism, the drought in peace, etcetera. America needed reassurance and that is for sure what Kennedy did. John f. Kennedy would comfort his fellow citizens with his Inaugural speech stating that there will be a change. He reached out by motivating people of this world that a changed needed to be made and these changes needed to become realistic, though it may not be in their life time but it all started with them. This was not only directed to the citizens of The United States but as well for the population of the world, everybody was important and America would unite together and help all others of the world in hope of peace. Doing this all by speaking such little words, straight to the point, being one of the shortest speeches a president of The United States has ever gave but making such an impact.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 1961, The United States of America was gridlocked with social injustice, inequalities, and intense racial tension, while combating the “red scare” of communism and protecting the population abroad from weapons of mass destruction and otherwise harbored by enemies both foreign and domestic. Terror and incertitude had seized the minds of the American people as the Cold War drew to its zenith. Desperate for a strong, reassuring leader, they turned to the young, former naval lieutenant and Presidential candidate, John Fitzgerald Kennedy who provided the reassurance the American populous yearned for as he charismatically and confidently addressed the nation. With critical rumination to the current national and international turmoil, Kennedy sought to ignite unity and esprit de corps in the American people in an endeavor to attain a lasting resolve. Kennedy’s inaugural address is imbued with rhetorical strategies to flatter and influence the emotions of the people through the use his strategic use of the rhetorical triangle without detracting from the truth and evidence expected from a national leader.
He was an expert on plain speaking and was able put to use emotional language effectively to engage his audience and make them feel included in his goals as the President. One of the most convincing aspects of his speech, is the fact that President Kennedy uses the word, “I” only four times in the 1,365 word address. With his famous line of “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” (Kennedy, Paragraph 25), Kennedy is able to unify the people of America with the goal to promote and work to benefit the country. He stirred up pride and honor with his quote, “We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.” (Kennedy, Paragraph 3). His devotion for his people made the nation support him, no matter what party. John states, it was “not the victory of a party, but a celebration of freedom” (Kennedy, Paragraph 1). The President’s address, intentionally written simply, was also writing with purpose. It had been intended to demonstrate his dedication to help and defend his allies from any
Kennedy’s inaugural address reveals his legacy by expressing his goal of unifying Americans using antithesis and syntax to contrast selfishness with selflessness, emphasizing that Americans should be working towards selflessness and unification. The photograph of Kennedy taking the oath of office mirrors his legacy of unifying the country and the virtue of selflessness with its wide range, capturing not only Kennedy, but the people around him as well. In his address, Kennedy speaks of how opposing sides in any fight should work together towards a common goal, rather than fight each other and never be able to achieve their goals.
The speech, which was given on January 20, 1961, conveys his future legacy through both his words and tone. Kennedy says, “‘Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms - not as a call to battle - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.’” (22). His use of rhetorical style elements persuaded everyone listening, capturing the imagination of an entire country. JFK challenged the nation, and gave them hope for a better tomorrow. He asks, “‘Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?’” (23). His faith in the people of this nation and hope for the future shone through him and spread onto
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country," is a well-known quote among Americans that has so much meaning behind it. John F. Kennedy was a president for the United States and loved among many American citizens. His speeches were always thought out and used many rhetoric devices to reel his audience in. Therefore, making his speeches brilliant and known the citizens of America. By going over the main points of rhetoric JFK used in his innagural speech like antithesis, pathos, and the theme one can realize how deep the speech actually is.
Ceremonial speeches are given to mark ceremonial events and help a society move beyond their differences. John F. Kennedy gave a ceremonial speech, his inaugural address, on January 20th, 1961, marking one of the most historic speeches in time. In John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address speech, that is being evaluated today, the author uses social cohesion as a call for the nation to give back to the country, as we should do of course, and to ask, and expect less from the government, but that we should all have equal rights. Social Cohesion is described as the words, values, goals, speeches, and ceremonies that glue a group or society together and serve to maintain social order. John F. Kennedy uses