Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

Kennedy
John F Kennedy was one of the most influential presidents in the USA’s history, he led the US through great turmoil and was known for his public speaking and leadership abilities. His actions and voice directly impacted many aspects of American life, and he was seen as a voice of reason and power. He gave many speeches and wrote many letters. However, his national addresses on April 11, 1962, regarding the raised steel prices is a masterclass in how a speaker can use rhetorical devices to elevate and detail their message. For example, Kennedy uses a friendly human tone during his speech that instill a sense of sameness and understanding with the citizens, this is elevated by his simpler word choice that comes across as a true message

Kennedy uses a tone that connects him to the audience and makes him seem like a powerful figure but also like one who greatly cares about each and every citizen. For example, he says “In this serious hour in our nation's history, when we are confronted with grave crises in Berlin and Southeast Asia, when we are devoting our energies to economic recovery and stability, when we are” He uses a tone of understanding and sympathy, to show that he is in the same boat as the average American. He also uses specific words in this excerpt like our and we, these words in a sense make him just as much responsible as the average American, which in turn creates a mutual appreciation. Many Americans will look at this and think of the president as a true representation of their country. Furthermore, he says, “If this rise in the cost of steel is imitated by the rest of the industry, instead of rescinded, it would increase the cost of homes, autos, appliances, and most other items for every American family.” Here he is mentioning the impact of this problem with the steel makers. He uses words that instill a sense of need and panic, like “if” and using phrases like “it would”. He is throwing out a hypothetical that not only instills a sense of self perseverance, but also one that instills a need for change. This all

This creates great depth to his speech and makes it not merely just a pleading speech but also an undeniable solution and presentation to many problems. This very fact is what makes this speech so compelling and leads to perfect use of these rhetorical devices. In the first part of his speech Kennedy announces “- the American people will find it hard, as I do, to accept a situation in which a tiny handful of steel executive whose pursuit of private power and profit exceed their sense of public responsibility can show such utter contempt for the interests of 185 million Americans.” In this passage he announces that the steel companies are intentionally putting their greed before the well-being of the USA. At this time these allegations are rare, and many people were not used to hearing of this news. Kennedy enlists a righteous call to the people with his announcement of this news. Furthermore, by utilizing device he forces the steel companies to make a statement to the people and explain their reasons. From this allegation Kennedy offers a solution and how his solution would impact the citizens. He says “- steps are underway by those Members of the Congress who plan appropriate inquiries into how these price decisions are so quickly made, and reached, and what legislative safeguards may be needed to protect the public interest.” He reassures the public and establishes