A Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy Speech

In defeating Richard Nixon in one of the closest presidential elections in American history, the citizens of the United States voted John F. Kennedy as the thirty-fifth President of the United States. Kennedy’s speech, delivered on January 20, 1961 recognized the fear and anxiety running rampant throughout the common citizens’ mind. In his constant use of repetition and rhetorical devices, Kennedy eases the public's mind by maintaining a conversational tone, while still holding a clear and compelling structure as he addresses Congress and the national public. First, Kennedy ignites a sense of pride in the American people. His speech appeals emotionally to those who feel the nation is struggling. In using an allusion, he says, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” In this, Kennedy captivates Americans by reminding them of how far they’ve come and how much more they can achieve. With his use of
His constant use of metaphors explain that together, the American people can forever “...break the bonds of mast misery…” and untangle themselves from the “...chains of poverty…” For multiple paragraphs, Kennedy repeatedly uses the phrase “let both sides.” In this use of an anaphora, Kennedy illustrates how much power a large group can have when they join hands and work together. Again, for multiple paragraphs, Kennedy repeatedly begins his paragraphs with the word “to.” In the use of another anaphora, this consistent pattern puts additional emphasis on coming together. If everyone comes together and offers their support, greatness can be achieved. In an allusion from Kennedy, those who seek power by riding alone on a tiger’s back will never achieve the power that a united group will. Kennedy’s clear and compelling structure gives hope to the American