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Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy Inaugural Address

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On January 20th, 1961 during President John F Kennedy inaugural address Kennedy persuades the audience that they should fight for equality and democracy around the world and inspired millions using antitheses, metaphors, and pathos. Kennedy's one most effective strategies used in the speech was the use of an antithesis’ to make his points seem like the obvious and best choice. An example of this would be when he says “... ask not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This is very effective because it shows the audience the best path possible. In addition it gives people a sense of duty to serve their country. Another example seen in the speech would be when he says “I do not shrink from this responsibility--I …show more content…

They can see when he says "the chains of poverty". This is significant because it shows, and put a picture into the audience's mind how bad poverty is in other country. In addition this would make people have an urge to fight for and achieve inequality. He also uses a metaphor when he said “Let the word go forward from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans... ". While there was not actually a torch being passed it shows that a new generation of youth are going to be in charged and take over. In both antithesis’ and metaphors there is clear evidence that pathos, the most effective tool used in the speech, was used in both rhetorical devices and it generally gave Americans a sense of duty. For example pathos can be seen when he says "the graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe". This would make the audience sad and emotional which would make them feel a sense of duty. An additional time that he uses pathos when he says "To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery... ". This makes people feel bad about the condition others go though and it will compel them to help out. In conclusion, President John F Kennedy persuades the audience that they should fight for equality and democracy around the world and inspired millions using antitheses, metaphors,

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