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Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

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John F. Kennedy: Orating This Oath “I do not shrink from this responsibility— I welcome it” (par. 25). John F. Kennedy expresses his courage in this excerpt of his Presidential Inaugural Address, which was a compelling speech written in a time of national crisis. Delivered on January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy’s speech took place during the nuclear age and Cold War era. On this day, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court held a bible as John F. Kennedy took the oath of office to become the nation’s 35th president. Fear had steadily crept into and ultimately invaded the minds of the American people as the Cold War neared its climax; they were desperate for a brave and reassuring president. With great awareness of both the current national and …show more content…

He established his ethos immediately with the same previous excerpt: “Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change” (par. 2). Inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural address, a historically established and respected president, Kennedy made sure to address that he did not want his victory to be solely a victory for the Democratic Party. Rather than boasting to the Republican Party, Kennedy looked to establish himself as a president who valued unity over partisanship. Towards the end of the speech, Kennedy proved himself a brave and valiant president when, with particular emphasis, he said, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it” (par. 25). Kennedy’s purpose behind this quote was to rally American spirit in a time of need. He wanted the American people to believe he was capable of leading the country to peace in an era of tension and potential danger. It was clear to the audience that Kennedy had positive intentions and morals, as well as genuine

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John F. Kennedy, also known as JFK, is perhaps the most-loved president in American history. Our 35th President of the United States served from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. Although he was young and did not get to serve his full term he accomplished many great things. All these documents embody the beginning of an admirable presidency and the commencement of a new hope for a nation gone forlorn.     Kennedy served at the pinnacle of the Cold War and spent a large fragment of his presidency focusing on managing relations with the Soviet Union.

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J.F Kennedy, the president of United States wanted to put the first Americans to the moon-America exploring the moon, so he directed his speech to the people of taxes and Rice University to promote his space exploration program that will help America to be the first country to explore the moon. He believes that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. Throughout J.F Kennedy's speech, the speaker makes effective use of evidence, reasoning, rhetorical elements, and rhetorical devices that together form his argument to gain people support for his space exploration program. J.F Kennedy was trying to prove his point of view by giving examples and using a lot of Rhetorical devices and appeals that would grab the reader's attention

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5. Identify an example of logos in the speech. Explain why it fits the parameters of logos. “The orderly implementation of the Supreme Court decision, therefore, cannot be left solely to those who may not have the economic resources to carry the legal action or who may be subject to harassment.” Kennedy explains that from the situation, Americans cannot expect that African Americans can fight for their rights through legal action on their own.

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In his speech Kennedy uses different rhetorical devices to unify the citizens of both the United States and the world. Kennedy was giving this speech after winning by a very small margin of votes so he was trying to unite the people of the United States and show he was the correct choice for the president. This speech was given during the Cold War so he was trying to connect the people around the whole world and establish peace. Kennedy was able to unify the people and try to establish peace while at the same time making himself seem like a very competent leader. In his speech Kennedy tries to build his credibility as a personable leader by creating ethos.

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Kennedy wisely sticks to using pathos throughout his entire speech, rather than relying on his then-minimal ethos or allowing his stirring speech to become bogged down by logos represented by the dull facts and figures of statistics. As a very young President just starting his first term, Kennedy lacks the reputation and reliability that an older, more experienced politician might have available. While it is true that most of the nation had seen him on television during the Nixon-Kennedy Presidential debates, those debates were the near-total of the people’s exposure to the dashing young President, and a pretty face does not a solid political reputation make! However, no matter how dashing and heroic he might have appeared to be in those

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This connects the younger generation of Americans and the older generation. He unites them under one goal and one purpose by using antithesis, ignoring their differences, and prepares them for what’s there to come in the future. He uses ethos quite effectively to re-establish his personal character. It was well known that Kennedy was a very religious man, and he reinforces this concept by citing the Lord’s name several times, as well as alluding to

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Oziel Rios S. Nambiar English 1302. SP3 12 February 2018 Kennedy Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis On Friday, January of 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered a speech to the citizens of the United States of America and the world. Kennedy made a speech that he knew would be remembered for many years to come even after his presidential term.

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On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was in Indianapolis for a campaign stop, when he received news that Martin Luther King was killed, causing Kennedy to write and deliver a speech regarding the assassination. This speech was succinct but not only was it about the assassination, it was also to tell the people there is still wisdom and hope in this time of turmoil. To reach this purpose, he first builds up his ethos, uses pathos to add mood and hope, and unifies the people. The combination of these elements makes it a very powerful and memorable speech. Robert F. Kennedy builds his credibility by relating his personal experience and knowledge of what the audience is feeling to the current events.

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Kennedy’s speech also talks about the balance of personal integrity and professional responsibility. JFK’s ability to balance his responsibility as president and his personal integrity as catholic has allowed him to be a successful leader. “Whatever issue may come before me as president- on birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling, or any other subject- I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise”(JFK). JFK made decisions based on what is best for the nation and not on his personal opinions on the matter.

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On April 10, 1962, steel companies raised the prices by 3.5 percent of their products. President John F. Kennedy had tried to maintain steel prices at a stable rate. President John F. Kennedy, known for his diligence and persuasion, held a news conference about the hikes in steel prices. President John F. Kennedy, in his speech, uses rhetorical strategies such as diction, emotional appeals, and a persuasive tone to convince Americans that steel companies are declining the standards to maintain stable prices. Kennedy states that the steel companies are a national problem due to the increase of steel prices.

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John F. Kennedy discusses and analyzes on how the nation differs from the past and present day in that time period. Kennedy narrators on the division and war in the the world to appeal to the audience patriotism by using pathos and logos. In this speech President Kennedy states “to thoses who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin the quest for peace, before the dark power of destruction unleashed.” He uses this quote to obtain a logical appeal to the appeal to the people. Kennedy uses logos to show that he wants the nation to come together and be humble together in one peace.

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Lastly Kennedy states, “ My fellow citizens of the world; ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” In this famous quote from Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he says that together, the people of America can do

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John F. Kennedy was known for his charming, charismatic, and relatable personality which significantly attributed to him winning the presidency in 1960. These admirable characteristics of his were easily seen in his speeches as U.S. senator and as president, in which it was apparent he not only had the charm, but also incorporated his personal values into his administration as a public servent. One speech in particular which highlights this fact is his “City Upon a Hill” speech. John F. Kennedy’s “City Upon a Hill” speech was given on Jan. 9th 1961 as his final speech prior to being sworn in as president, which he delivered to the general court of Massachusetts. In this speech, Kennedy compared the impending challenges of his presidency to the troubles facing the first Puritan settlers of Massachusetts in the 1600's in John Winthrop’s original “city upon a hill” speech.

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“In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our despair, against our will comes wisdom through the awful grace of God”(24-30). RFK used this quote to say people may want to stay angry and bitter, but anger will eventually be replaced with wisdom and understanding no matter how much they try to fight it. Kennedy recognizes his audience as Americans, but especially

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In a time of darkness and fighting in the world, it is hard to remain peaceful. Being the leader of your country, it is hard to say the right thing. Both presidents, Roosevelt and Kennedy, experienced this in their time. Even though their speeches were relevant to the topic of freedom, the meanings came about differently. Both Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address both talk about freedom.

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