Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address - 1426 Words

As a person who was known for his ability to speak publicly, and communicate comprehensible meanings while inspiring the people of his nation, President John F. Kennedy (JFK) gave his inaugural address on January 20th, 1961 in Washington D.C.. JFK was widely distinguished for his ability to use rhetoric in front of the masses, and in mass media. Like many authors and penman, President Kennedy implemented huge doses of rhetorical strategies in his speech, focusing on the appeals of Aristotle: ethos, logos and pathos. Ethos is used to convince the audience of the author’s credibility, logos is an appeal through the use of logic and reasoning, while pathos is an emotional appeal (Gayle et al). JFK applied all these rhetorical appeals†¦show more content†¦This previous knowledge and image of JFK builds up his ethos before the address was even given. The speech has many quotes that are still well remembered and hold a deep impact in many American lives today. Most notably was the qoute, â€Å"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for youÍ ¾ ask what you can do for your country†(JFK Library). This quote is a prime example of how JFK bridges appeals, pathos and logos, it creates a middle ground and commonality between JFK and the citizens. Also the sense of patriotism brought from this quote is a great example of pathos. Kennedy rarely implements statistics or numbers to build ethos. Instead, he uses his fame and affirming words to build credibility. Having been elected into office, it is a safe assumption that he was already widely accepted as a credible source. He also establishes ethos in the way he portrays himself. Ethos is not built from only a title, but from the verbiage that JFK used admirably. He was well aware of the fact that not everyone supported him or the party he was associated with, and by opening his speech with â€Å"We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (JFK Library), JFK is able to discard any hostility toward his political opponents, appealing ethically to the opposing viewers. He then goes on to address these opponents by stating, â€Å"We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find themShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address909 Words   |  4 PagesMiguel Garcia English 1020 Campbell 10/05/17 Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Inaugural Address† by John F. Kennedy It’s January 20, 1961. Inauguration day for president Kennedy. Entering his first term as president of the United States, he has to give the â€Å"Inaugural Address.† As president of the United States he needs to address his voters and the american people in person or through a television broadcast about his future goals and aspirations. During the transfer of power the US is going on there 14thRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address1414 Words   |  6 PagesJFK Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis On Friday, January 20, 1961, in the midst of physical cold and mental Cold War fears, John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the citizens of America and the world, assuring his audience that peace will prevail, and that America, as a unified superpower, will lead the world once again into a new era of peace. His speech, infused with rhetorical appeals, has an anxious and discontent tone, calling for change and the implementation of his vision. ToRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address829 Words   |  4 PagesOne of the most influential presidents in United States history, John F. Kennedy was a brilliant politician and public speaker. In his inaugural address, he sparked hope around the world by discussing the hardships faced by all of society in the present time and then leaving them with a message of freedom, power, and hope. This measure of impact is not achieved easily; Kennedy masterfully utilized the art of rhetoric to emphasize his message and win the hear ts of his people. In the middle of theRead MoreEssay about John F. Kennedy Analysis704 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Leah Moore JFK Inaugural Address Analysis President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address on a January afternoon in 1961. His speech includes many rhetorical devices—included to help convey Kennedy’s subject to his audience. The subject is that human rights are determined by God, rather than the government. Some rhetorical devices Kennedy uses are parallelism, anaphora, and hortative sentences. John F. Kennedy’s use of rhetorical devices within his inaugural address help him convey his messageRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address Essay1566 Words   |  7 Pages NOT PRIDE BUT FREEDOM: Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address Tanner A. Woody Anderson University On January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered a speech with a backdrop of snow and a twenty-degree wind blowing in his face in Washington D.C. In his speech, he starts off with saying that his victory is not for a party but it is for freedom. At the climax of his speech, JFK delivers a call to action which is also the most well-known line from his speech:Read MoreRhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address971 Words   |  4 PagesA Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address By 1961, The United States of America was struggling with racial tension and social inequalities, while fighting communism internationally and protecting the public from the weapons and devices of our adversaries abroad. Confusion and fear had invaded the minds of the American people as the cold war neared its pinnacle; they were desperate for a strong, reassuring leader. John F. Kennedy provided this reassurance when he addressed the nationRead MoreJFK inaugural Address853 Words   |  4 Pages Rhetorical Analysis on JFK’s Inaugural Address Majority of the people know the eminent line â€Å"ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country† (Kennedy). That is indubitably one of the most well known segments of his speech, however, there are other parts that made it memorable. He knew he was not only speaking to America, but other countries as well. His speech keeps the audience both focused on what is important and understanding of the point he is trying to makeRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of President Kennedy s Inaugural Speech2018 Words   |  9 PagesWhat rhetorical features does President Kennedy use to achieve his desired purpose? Introduction Politicians often use language to both persuade and imperceptibly control the opinions/decisions of their audience: whether it is to gain their support, to present their point, or implant their principles. It is of utmost importance to them to do this subtly, in order to not come across as too aggressive, intimidating or manipulative. As a result, the politician has to use language that is relatable