President John F. Kennedy brings about a new way of thinking in his inaugural speech. He brings in a sense of selflessness and relentlessness for the country. He uses literary devices such as, antithesis, repetition, and rhetorical questions to bring about that sense in the audience. He begins by putting himself to the people and allowing the audience to feel welcomed. The use of literary devices in his speech allows the audience to recognize his goal, which is moving forward and bringing change to the country. The use of antithesis in President Kennedy’s speech reveals his desire for change, “Symbolizing and end as well as a beginning” (Kennedy 462). His contrast between an end as well as a beginning marks his presidency by describing that He uses words such as poverty, rich, young, old, freedom, devotion, loyalty, and sacrifice. He doesn’t just focus on a certain group he focuses on reaching out to everyone and making them feel as if they belong in this dream. By the use of these words he gives off a welcoming feeling to all the different types of groups that they all contribute to what the United States is and will become. “To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right” (Kennedy 463). Everyone has to contribute in helping each other out in order to see a change in the world. The founders of America said that they had to create a constitution because people were selfish it was their natural way of being. President Kennedy was trying to break that judgement by bringing in a new idea that everyone had to work together and that people didn’t have to be selfish. “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich” (Kennedy 463). He describes the consequences of being selfish by explaining that focusing on one group will not bring success in the U.S but bring it down. There are many who are poor and suffering, but a few who are
To begin, Kennedy gave the exigence and explained what the current situation was in America. He gives his thesis to let the audience know what his feelings are, and what the main point of the speech is going to be. The first sentence discusses the steel companies raising their prices which, “constitutes a wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest” (2-3). This sentence sets up the rest of the speech and what can be expected to follow. After giving the exigence and thesis, Kennedy expands on the issue in the paragraphs that proceed. His ideas flow right from one to the next. Beginning with the issues in America, the steel companies raised prices, national security, and finally how it affects Americans.
On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy made his inaugural address to the nation. He stood in front of the podium to convince citizens that he is the best person to turn the country around. He used experiences from the past, such as war, poverty, and the need for peace to get the attention of those who wish to see change within the country as well as countries we work with. Kennedy spoke in a way to to persuade the american people, as well as the soviet union to come together. In this speech President John F. Kennedy used ethos, pathos, and logos as well as other rhetorical devices to convince his audience.
In his prominent 1961 Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy extensively employs pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax to captivate millions of people, particularly to persuade them to stand together and attempt to further human rights for the “betterment” of the world. Kennedy’s effective use of various rhetorical styles succeeds in persuading his audience –the world and the U.S citizens—that his newly-seized position as the U.S. President will be worthwhile for all.
Although both Mark Antony’s and Robert F. Kennedy’s speeches were successful largely due to the strength of their arguments, their careful choice and placement of their words and sentences is also an important factor in the delivery of their messages. The clever use of stylistic devices and techniques of both Antony and Kennedy’s speeches is a testimony to their much admired speaking styles. The use of repetition, caesuras, and personal references augment their speeches so that it is concise, purposeful, memorable and emotionally engaging. The influential nature of both Mark Antony and Robert F. Kennedy is in part due to their high level of skill in speech-making, a rewarding skill to have in any language, and an important asset required for any leader.
Kennedy used rhetorical devices including logos, ethos and pathos to show America that he was best for the job, as well as bring much needed hope to the people of the United States as well as the
In Kennedy’s speech, he had rhetorical devices such as plain folks appeal, repetition, and pathos. He used plain folk appeal by using the audience’s language of German by saying “Ich bin ein Berliner” (par. 3). Him saying “I am a Berliner” strengthens his argument, as it makes President Kennedy feel like a normal person as he is with the people of Berlin. He used repetition when he was going against communism and stated that all people who disagree should “...come to Berlin” (par. 5). This use of repetition emphasizes Kennedy’s argument and helps him connect with the audience. Kennedy used the persuasive technique of pathos when he was saying that the wall was “... separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together” (par. 6). This makes the audience feel a sense of pity towards the families who have been separated by the Berlin Wall. To conclude, Kennedy had a strong use of various different rhetorical
John F. Kennedy announced one of the most reiterated speeches in history, the “Inaugural Address” during the midst of a war torn time period. His words promised optimism and hope to an audience who was at the brink of collapsing as a whole. By exclusively using his words and emotion, he was able provide security and comfort to the whole nation. Kennedy 's choice of words and strategies encouraged many people to obstruct selfish behavior and contribute participation in methods to improve the United States. Kennedy was able to accomplish this with the help of literary devices such as tone, repetition, metaphors, imagery and diction to motivate many Americans doubting the stability of their own country.
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is a puissant speech that conveys a mighty theme. The steady use of fervent dialect stimulates in the crowd a sense of esteem and obligation, which makes the speech even more impressive. The structure of the diction enhances the ability for all people of the audience to connect. Beginning with an intimate remark and closing with a broad regard, marks the address as both authentic and propelling. Nevertheless, what is most effective is Kennedy’s skill to access the atmosphere of the crowd and examine the circumstances of the juncture that is primarily the cause for the prosperity of this distinguished
One of the ways he easily impacted people was his dynamics of speech. He makes sure that his speaking rate is slow and steady when needed, to guarantee people could follow and understand his objective. Being unique he still holds the record for being able to speak 350 words a minute, being clear and straightforward. Another dynamic JFK used was stressing words, for example when he says “ let us dare not forget” and “let every nation know”. Stressing words like dare and every draws the audience in with another dynamic he uses in his tone of voice. Another way he impacted the audience was his creative way of appealing to their ideal America. During those days the American people wanted peace, to be up-to-date with technological advances, and to stand by the hand of God. Kennedy appealed the people of america by saying things like “we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace”. Also saying “let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God 's work must truly be our own.”. Saying these things impacted the audience because it was the desperate need of many Americans to stand with God and to be at peace. Still, 50 years later JFK’s inaugural address is an inspiration to many who hear his words, and will impact anyone who hears it.
With the tone of inspiration, hortatory, and powerful; an inaugural speech of President Kennedy clearly defines the ceremonial purpose base on the first aspect of social cohesion in freedom and liberty. At the very first beginning, by using a youthful diction, President Kennedy shows his great achievement in winning the presidential election. Even with his young age, Kennedy still performs the same level as the past presidents. He
Kennedy used anaphoras to emphasize the important sections of his inaugural address, such as when he first described the world as very different now and that “man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life” (6).
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.
President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the American public on January 20, 1961. President Kennedy’s inaugural speech is designed to deliver a message of hope and perseverance against foreign threats, specifically the communist Soviet Union, against whom the United States was involved in the Cold War. In his speech, President Kennedy takes the global stage, capitalizing on the emergence of mass media and the ability to reach people on a worldwide scale to deliver a message meant to be heard both home and abroad. Kennedy’s inaugural address uses several different rhetorical devices—i.e., repetition, contrast/antithesis, and metaphorical imagery designed to produce pathos in the audience—to
In conclusion, this speech was structured beautifully. Its use of figurative and expressive language makes it an unforgettable speech. Kennedy does a great job of using pathos, ethos, and logos to reiterate his commitment to the American public as well as discuss expected changes. Given the state of the world at the time of his inauguration, the decision to rely so heavily on pathos and ethos was a wise one which got the job done. His use of the rhetoric triangle effectively conveys Kennedy’s plan for America to not only her citizens, but to the world.
“American Rhetoric: John F. Kennedy – Joint Session Speech on Urgent National Needs (transcript-audio-video).” American Rhetoric: John F. Kennedy - Joint Session Speech on Urgent National Needs (transcript-audio-video). N. p., n.d. Web 8 Dec. 2013.