Kennedy's Inaugural Speech: Emotional Appeal and Impact

941 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Analysis of Kennedy’s inaugural address

When John F. Kennedy won the 1961 election by just eighty six electoral votes, the world was fascinated. As he stood on the podium in Washington D.C., preparing to give his inauguration speech, everyone tuned in to what he had to say. As he began speaking, everyone was hearing his words and soon, people were calling it one of the best written inaugural speeches ever written. Kennedy was able to connect to our country by using an emotional appeal to pull his message, successfully, off. Whether you were a hawk, a dove, or somewhere in between, John F. Kennedy saw you and seemed to speak directly to you during his inaugural address. For that reason, as he stood up there and spoke, the world listened and started to take note of our new President of the United States. By creating an emotionally persuasive speech, Kennedy went from having barely fifty one percent approval rating to skyrocketing to a seventy six percent approval rating, all with his inaugural speech. As Kennedy started his speech “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the Kennedy might have had his head in the clouds when preforming this speech, no man could have accomplished all that he set out to do in such a short time, but that was not the point. As Kennedy stood on that podium in Washington D.C. and the world tuned in to hear him, they weren’t listening for every flaw they could find. They were looking for someone to stand up there and let them hear what they had been missing for so long now. And as he wrapped up his speech, he was doing it. Kennedy was able to look right at every American, whether a hawk, a dove, or anywhere in the middle, and connect to them. The newly elected President of the United States successfully stood on that podium and made a lasting emotional appeal to the citizens of this country that swung their support in favor of Kennedy further, and unionized us behind a common man and a common cause, the betterment of this

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    993 Words  | 2 Pages

    It was on January 20th 1961 that John F Kennedy gave his inaugural address after winning the presidential race and beating future president Richard Nixon. President, John F Kennedy in his speech, The Inaugural Address, he describes his plans for growth in America. Kennedy’s purpose is unite the people of the U.S. and bring everyone together for the good cause of promoting growth in the country. He creates a very inspirational tone in order to establish a connection with the U.S. people. In his speech Kennedy really used several rhetorical strategies of persuasion to motivate and persuade the U.S. people that they made the right choice in choosing him.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Speech John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He graduated from Harvard, and joined the navy. He worked as a reporter before entering the political arena. He later wrote “profiles in courage” which won the Pulitzer Prize Award. Being that JFK was the youngest president to ever be in office there is no doubt that he encountered a lot of skepticism. This speech had many purposes but most importantly it gave him positive recognition. The inaugural address was written to encourage the American public to get actively involved with their country. It also reassured them that it was not a contest that he won but rather chance at a beginning. This speech reassured the voters that they made the right choice and informed a country that they were going to see some changes.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    This speech proves that Kennedy had a way with words and knew the best way to get a message across. He clearly expressed his feelings but did so without letting them take over. He didn’t scream or shout, but showed he could handle his anger while still letting it shine through. Kennedy used the three appeals, strong diction and syntax, and a well-organized structure of his ideas to convey his purpose; Raise anger in Americans and side with them, while making the steel companies feel guilty for their

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Kennedy And John F. Kennedy's Second Inaugural Address

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of JFK's Inauguration Speech

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    The 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, gave an empowering speech to his nation during his inauguration. President Kennedy’s purpose was to reassure his country and its citizens of their safety post Cold War and gain their friendship. He adopts a patriotic tone in order to spread peace throughout the nation and share his patriotism. By Kennedy’s use of rhetorical devices, he manages to create a speech that had stuck with its viewers.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

    626 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1962 an economic crisis spread over the entire nation when a major steel companies increased its prices dramatically. John F. Kennedy was in the presidency at the time and spoke to the nation regarding the urgent matter. In his speech John F. Kennedy used the rhetorical strategies of predicting, questioning, and establishing authority to achieve his purpose.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

    513 Words  | 2 Pages

    Much of John F. Kennedy’s speech addresses not only the citizens of America, but the whole world. He quickly confronts the concerns individuals may have with the course of the nation when he mentions that “the world is very different now” (Kennedy, 1961, par. 2). The Cold War caused a schism in world communication and cooperation. He reinforces the fact that “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” and that it is this new generation’s duty to commit to human rights at home and around the world (Kennedy, 1961, par. 3). It appeals to everyone’s basic humanity to help those who do not have the same opportunities that many Americans have. He frames it in the way, “We have the ability to help so why don’t we?” kind

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    He encourages people to work together when he says, "United there is little we cannot do and a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do, for we dare not meet a challenge at odds and split asunder.” Instead of encouraging a strong military, as the Soviet Union was doing during the Cold War, Kennedy centers his message around unification throughout his speech. He enforces his that moving together is the only way to move forward, in order to convince Americans that war and disagreements stand in the way of finding solutions to the real threats the world faces. For example, the absence of civil rights in the lives of many Americans. Those going through difficult times needed Kennedy’s reassurance that the future held something

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Jfk Inaugural Address

    506 Words  | 2 Pages

    “We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as beginning—signifying renewal as well as change,” (Kennedy) these were the words John F. Kennedy used when he delivered in his inaugural speech to the citizens of our country and to the people around the world. On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was elected as our thirty-fifth president of the United States of America. It was a cold clear day and the capital was filled with snow from a storm the day before. The ceremony began with a traditional prayer, national anthem sung by Marian Anderson, and then following with Robert Frost reciting a poem called “The Gift.” John F. Kennedy’s main purpose for his speech was to unite our nation as one, more than it was a celebratory one. He was able to address his audience with a speech that would forever remembered. John F. Kennedy used some rhetorical devices to prove to the nation that he was the best candidate as our newly inducted president.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Jfk Inaugural Address

    971 Words  | 2 Pages

    The inauguration of John F. Kennedy, the former president, in 1961 Washington D.C is a very famous and successful speech. Even though today, over fifty years later, many American people can remember some sentences from it. Due to John’s incredible application of the art of diction and rhetorical devices, this lecture becomes a classic as well as helps him gain more supports. Having won the election by one of the smallest popular vote margins in history, Kennedy had known the great importance of this speech. (Analyzing) Through broadcast on radio and television, the speech was converted to everywhere in the nation. His term of office was during the Cold War, which means he needed to keep the peace. People tempered by war, disciplined by a hard

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

    1173 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the case of Kennedy's address, the organization of his points and appeals adds to the efficiency of his words. As mentioned above, his address begins strongly with an appeal to ethos. Having established some form of trustworthiness, Kennedy then seeks to set a context of the age in which his listeners live by explaining that, "The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty." Having set an urgent and grave tone to his speech, Kennedy then proceeds to give his series of pledges to the various types of listeners tuning into his address. The newly elected President ends his speech by preaching to the American people that his goals appeal to something larger than the individual. By ending with a broader appeal to a higher power, Kennedy finishes his speech with his multitude ready to work together to accomplish his objectives. The reason that this appeal works within the confines of the speech is because the multitude accepts such a demand for

    Read More

  • Kennedy

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kennedy's Inaugural Speech is an unforgettable one. At the end of this speech most people would've taken action against poverty if they weren't so appalled and/or completely frozen. Nevertheless, Kennedy was able to warm the hearts of the people through the use of parallel structure, antithesis, and balance.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John Fitzgerald Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    725 Words  | 2 Pages

    On January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, which encompassed a new vision for the country with a new generation. That speech was JFK’s Inaugural Address. As the new 35th president, JFK was the youngest president to enter the oval office at the age of forty-three ("Inaugural Address."). The nation was still in in the process of healing after World War II. In the eyes of the masses, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a breath of fresh air for the American People. He was a youthful president, with his youthful image; he was able to rally the younger generations with a progressive vision. This speech was a message to the nation in which JFK outlines a new direction for The United States by securing it’s freedom, being a competitive nation in all aspects, and rallying the citizens behind the government.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Strategies in John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hence, through various rhetorical strategies, Kennedy achieves his purpose of gaining the spectators’ favor through stressing major current events that concerned the American people. These significant concepts include American patriotism and American diplomacy, stressed when he begins four consequent paragraphs with the same recurring three words, “Let both sides.” Kennedy’s brilliant use of pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax successfully convey his ambitions and hopes for America, as it makes Kennedy’s speech a very memorable one in history.

    Read More

More about Kennedy's Inaugural Speech: Emotional Appeal and Impact

Open Document