The Famous Words of Kennedy On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was inaugurated. On that day when he gave his famous inaugural speech, the fact that his presidency would end with a bullet probably did not cross his mind (November 22, 1963: Death of the President). For at the Capitol in Washington DC our new president said these famous words, “… ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country,” (John F. Kennedy Quotations). Through this one of a kind speech President Kennedy’s intonation, gestures, and interaction with the audience were truly remarkable. Throughout his speech, the Presidents intonation was overall rather effective. He spoke loud enough to be well heard and his voice flowing. He addressed the audience louder when he required emphasis and quieter when he did not. At the beginning, he talking in a monotone and grew into a more meaning and variations of his speech tone. The president remained at a suitable pace and did not rush or stutter. He spoke with meaning and passion throughout the speech, but paused every time he looked down at his paper, and then some in between for emphasis. Although the President’s intonation was overall pretty good, his gestures and eye contact were mediocre. In the beginning and all throughout the speech President Kennedy kept looking down at his paper and then back up at the audience. His eye contact was all right, he definitely looked at his audience, but he looked at his paper just as much. His posture was a little hunched over the podium and he did not straighten out at all. He looked somewhat …show more content…
Kennedy Quotations." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. Kennedy, John F. "President John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address." President Inauguration. White House, Washington D.C. 20 Jan. 1961. YouTube. YouTube, 14 Oct. 2009. Web. "November 22, 1963: Death of the President." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. N.p., n.d.