Tom Peters once said “True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” In the “Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy”, Kennedy uses many rhetorical devices throughout the speech to clarify his message. Kennedy’s message is for people should unite together and become peaceful with each other and other nations. In the speech, Kennedy uses alliteration, anaphora, allusion, and antithesis. The use of these rhetorical devices helps to awaken the audience to let them know that we can all get along with each other, without fighting with one another.
Kennedy used the rhetorical device, alliteration in his inaugural speech. Alliteration helps to focus the reader’s attention on a specific part of the text. Alliteration is the repetition
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He used anaphora to persuade the reader and to also appeal to the reader’s feelings. Anaphora is the repetition at the beginning of successive clauses and sentences. Kennedy used anaphora when he stated, “We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom.” The way anaphora was used, appears to be a message to the new states. A message that we, the United States do not expect for new nations to adapt to our view of things or our perspective on things, but it is hoped that the new nations will appreciate their own freedom and independence. Anaphora enhances the impact of the speech by pulling the audience along with the point he is trying to get …show more content…
Allusion helps the reader to visualize what is going on. Allusion is a short, indirect reference to a famous person or event, usually from literature, pop-culture, history, greek mythology, and or the bible. Kennedy used allusion when he stated, “Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” The way Kennedy uses allusion, makes the reference resemble a deeper meaning to it. This enhances the speech by establishing a connection and credibility between the subject, which is to not use your power to be greedy. In addition to using allusion, Kennedy also uses antithesis.
Kennedy use the rhetorical device, antithesis. Antithesis helps the reader to define the range and scope of an idea. Antithesis is the pairing of opposites. Kennedy used antithesis, when he stated, “Support any friend, oppose any foe.” Kennedy paired supporting any friend to opposing; disapproving any foe. The way this phrase is set up, it helps the reader to memorize what the sentence is saying and what Kennedy means. Antithesis also helps to draw the reader’s attention by the comparison and contrast between the two