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Powerful Use Of Rhetorical Devices In Speeches By John F. Kennedy

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John F. Kennedy was one of America’s most beloved presidents before his tragic death in November of 1963. On a frosty morning in January of 1961, he gave one of the most historic and quoted speeches ever given by a United States president. Through his tactful use of antimetabole, repetition, and allusion, John F. Kennedy was able to make his inauguration speech one of the most memorable and effective to this day.
Kennedy’s most notable quote is a good example of antimetabole. When he says, “Ask not what America will do for you—ask what you can do for your country”, he’s turning the public’s general question towards the president/government around, and suggesting that the audience ask themselves what they can do to assist their country. This sentence causes listeners to stop and consider what they could do to help instead of making demands of the President about how he is going to help them. …show more content…

He uses the word ‘we’ more than 20 times throughout his entire inaugural speech. By interspersing different group pronouns, such as ‘we’, ‘us’, and ‘our’ into his speech, Kennedy is able to come across as one of America’s own, and not a high-ranking “official”. When he talks about the loyalty that the United States will extend to its allies, he states, “United, there is little we cannot do in host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do”. Kennedy is explaining that by unifying everyone into one system there is so much that can be done, but if everyone were to act alone there would not be much the countries could get

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Kennedy often sets himself equal to his audience, as if saying that he is no better than anybody else, gaining their respect and support. For example in Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he states, “ United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures.” In this Kennedy is placing himself in the same category as his audience and saying that he needs them, just as much as they need him. Another example of Kennedy setting himself equal to his audience is, “ In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” In this statement, John F. Kennedy is saying that the people of America, united, have more power than him.

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