Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address
Damola Badewa John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address
On a cold January afternoon in 1961, President John F. Kennedy recites an artful speech that motivates the world. While the speech’s respectful eloquence is appropriate for the occasion of an inauguration, its youthful energy and archaic words and phrases make it distinctly John F. Kennedy’s piece. President Kennedy, the youngest president, uses several word choices that make the speech effective, by appealing mainly to pathos and ethos, rather than logos. Therefore, the purpose of this speech was to try and unite the people to become stronger by improving their nation and to bring freedom to all individuals. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” (26), incites Kennedy. John F. Kennedy reaches out to his audience …show more content…
Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic President, explains how important God is to him, “…the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God” (3). Throughout his speech he makes an oath to partner up with the citizens of America to improve their nation. “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribes nearly a century and three-quarters ago” (2). Additionally, in the first paragraph Kennedy acknowledges everyone in the audience. Finally, “All this will not be finished in the first hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin” (21). These phrases involve John F. Kennedy and the world-wide audience, by using the word “our”. Kennedy is knowledgeable of the fact that this won’t be a quick job, and that it might even take decades to finish strengthening the country. This also shows his devotion towards the
On a cold January afternoon in 1961, President John F. Kennedy recites an artful speech that motivates the world. While the speech’s respectful eloquence is appropriate for the occasion of an inauguration, its youthful energy and archaic words and phrases make it distinctly John F. Kennedy’s piece. President Kennedy, the youngest president, uses several word choices that make the speech effective, by appealing mainly to pathos and ethos, rather than logos. Therefore, the purpose of this speech was to try and unite the people to become stronger by improving their nation and to bring freedom to all individuals. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” (26), incites Kennedy. John F. Kennedy reaches out to his audience …show more content…
Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic President, explains how important God is to him, “…the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God” (3). Throughout his speech he makes an oath to partner up with the citizens of America to improve their nation. “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribes nearly a century and three-quarters ago” (2). Additionally, in the first paragraph Kennedy acknowledges everyone in the audience. Finally, “All this will not be finished in the first hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin” (21). These phrases involve John F. Kennedy and the world-wide audience, by using the word “our”. Kennedy is knowledgeable of the fact that this won’t be a quick job, and that it might even take decades to finish strengthening the country. This also shows his devotion towards the