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John F Kennedy Steel Companies Ethos

668 Words3 Pages

In response to the steel companies, who where determined to raise prices, John F. Kennedy speaks to millions of Americans about sacrifice for the country, and once again reminds the country that they are truly the United States of America. Despite being the head of the country, JFK instantly includes himself in with the common American citizen. All throughout Kennedy's speech, rhetoric is used to appeal to the audience, and to show the steel companies that they are being selfish and negatively effecting the united community of America. In the first paragraph, JFK relies heavily on diction to set up his speech and call the audience to listen to him. By saying, "In this serious hour in our nation's history," not only does he acknowledge the gravity of the situation, he also uses "our" to include himself with his fellow Americans. JFK mentions the death of four soldiers in Viet Nam as an example of the sacrifices being made for America. This example not only appeals greatly to pathos, it is also a way to invoke guilt in the steel companies for worrying solely about money when lives are being lost to help the United States. He refers to the steel companies as a "tiny handful" in an attempt to show the companies that they are going against "185 million Americans" during a time …show more content…

He logically presents the problems and impacts of rising steel prices, and how they would "seriously handicap our efforts." Even when he is listing off the effects of increased prices, he uses "we're" and "our" to continue the appeal of community. JFK then goes on to state, "there is no justification for an increase in steel prices," which helps keep up his very honest and direct tone. JFK is also, once again, trying to provoke the steel companies into changing their unjustified ways for the greater good of

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