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Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

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On January 20th, 1961, more than twenty thousand people gathered despite the eight inches of snow and below freezing temperatures to attend the inauguration of the United States 35th President, John F. Kennedy. The milestone speech that was delivered invigorated citizens at the sight of Kennedy’s youth and vitality. While remaining respectful of this great nation, John F. Kennedy applies rhetorical strategies to address America and it’s citizens in its entirety. Kennedy successfully delivers a plan for the United States of America to adhere to. The diction and syntax of the inaugural speech serves John Kennedy’s purpose, enriches the text, and has an inspiring effect on the audience.

The repetition of consonant sounds in a phrase is known as alliteration and used by John F. Kennedy. When giving such an important oral speech good deliverance and timing are imperative; alliteration provides an avenue through which one can stress timing. For instance, in the twenty eighth paragraph Kennedy says, “let us go forth to lead the land we love.” The imagery provided in this alliteration rouses a citizens patriotism resulting in service for one’s country. Alliteration emphasizes text in the subconscious mind of the viewer. The placement of alliteration at the closing of Kennedy’s inauguration speech is memorable and leaves audience members with a positive feeling. …show more content…

Anaphora builds an audience towards a climax. Kennedy uses a variation of the phrase, “To those” at the beginning of five different paragraphs. The specific use directs the audience of the speech to one subject. Anaphora is a stylistic rhetorical device and Kennedy’s use of anaphora confirms the plans created for America. Plans of allies, freedom, and a world free of communism are intertwined due to anaphora. Kennedy’s use of anaphora shifts the speech’s focus “to

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