Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

In his speech on April 10,1962, John F. Kennedy accentuates the corruption and negligence of United States Steel and other leading steel corporations for raising steel prices that would in turn have an immense, financial-burden impact on everyday Americans. The intended purpose of his writing piece was to chastise and defame the greedy steel corporations as well as obtain support and unification from Americans. Through the use of patriotic diction, hypothetical reasoning, and consistent factual evidence, John F. Kennedy generates a logical and emotional appeal in order to exemplify the urge to resolve the devastating economic and social distress Americans had faced from the recession.
Throughout his text, John F. Kennedy intends to spur negative public opinion towards steel industries by using nationalistic diction.Take the use of his patriotic word choice as an example; he states phrases such as “the American people will find it hard, as I do... “, “the American people have a right”, and “our efforts…” By associating himself
For “a tiny handful of steel executives whose pursuit of private power and profit exceeds their sense of public responsibility.”, John F. Kennedy backs up this claim stating that there is no reasonable justification for increasing steel prices, and that there was a consensus that the industry knew to not make “unnecessary [increase] in prices.” Therefore, this says that the steel corporation certainly was negligent and lacked responsibility and ethical characteristics because statistical and reliable sources evidently show that it would devastate Americans. It is important to note the Kennedy uses factual information to his advantage because it serves as proof, thus he gains credibility and would lead people to support his