On April 10, 1962, the United States’ largest steel companies raised their prices by 3.5 percent. The people of the nation were unhappy and had wondered why this change had occurred. I compare this to when gas prices go up; no one is happy when gas prices raise. Some figure that we already spend enough. Kennedy uses a number of rhetorical devices in his speech which help to justice the reasons behind the raised prices. Repetition is a great way to get your point across as whoever you’re talking to will eventually listen and hear your message. During the news conference when Kennedy was speaking, he continues to say, “when we are,” as to make those listening understand that the prices affect him too. Kennedy wants them to understands that all of the United States’ people were unified and together. Such as if something affects the country, it affects every individual in the country. He also continues to say “we” to ensure the people that his is a part of the nation’s body and he does not entirely agree with it either. By using repetition, it helps Americans to recognize that their president also feels the emotions they are feeling. …show more content…
By using pathos, people can begin to fathom what they would be sacrificing. “… it would increase the cost of homes, autos, appliances, and most other items for every American family.” Though he lists how the steel prices would affect their everyday and business lives, later in his speech, Kennedy states that the labor costs per ton of steel are actually expected to decline. Americans may be sad or angry at what they are giving up, but Kennedy assures them that there may be lighter times coming ahead and there are possible safeguards to protect the public
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy, a strong advocate for secure prices and wages, held a news conference regarding the inflation of steel prices and how it has impacted the American people. In order to achieve his purpose of convincing steel companies to reduce prices, JFK utilizes the rhetorical devices of anaphora, logos and pathos. During his speech, Kennedy appealed mostly to the logos by furnishing statistics to persuade the companies to stop elevating the prices of steel. An example of this is in line fifty five where he states, "Steel output per man is rising so fast that labor costs per ton of steel can actually be expected to decline in the next twelve months. " This indicates how significantly the prices of steel were raised and
During a time where America’s economy is in distress, the nation’s largest steel companies increase the cost of steel. On April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy connects with his audience, the citizens of the United States, through his concern tone and provides statistics, in order to alert the audience about the steel companies’ unjustifiable and irresponsible actions, as well as motivate the president’s audience to engage on the increase in steel prices. President John F. Kennedy tries to convince the audience that what the steel companies are doing is wrong by connecting with the audience and their interests. In the first paragraph, John F. Kennedy declares that the steel companies’ actions are against “the public interests”. This demonstrates that John F. Kennedy understands the audience.
Kennedy first starts off in paragraph 2 by highlighting that America is “devoting… to economic recovery and stability” and then follows up in paragraph 4 by mentioning that the increase in price would result in an extra “one billion dollars” (Sorenson 160, 161). As a result, Kennedy is able to demonstrate that the actions of the steel executives are against the needs of the nation because while “Americans” are hard at work focusing on fixing the economy, the steel executives are jacking up the price of steel making everyone’s lives miserable. Kennedy, however, not only attacks the executive’s lack of upholding their American responsibility, he also hammers their failure to contain any sense of moral obligation. In paragraph 7 Kennedy mentions that steel profits have “exceeded 600 million”, he then goes on to question if the executive’s profits are already so high why bother continuing to raise the prices (Sorenson 161). Not only is the raising of prices illogical it also hurts the American family that Kennedy mentioned earlier in his speech, “it would increase the cost…for every American family” (Sorenson 160).
Through his provision of the expenses Americans will have to pay, it is made apparent that this inflation will have negative impact on the nation. For example, Kennedy explains through several calculations that Americans’ cash spending has increased rapidly over the past couple of years. He explains, “The industry’s cash dividends have exceeded 600 million dollars in each of the last five years…” (69-71). This evidence support his claim of the inflation of steel prices worsen the spending conditions.
Both candidates used pathos by describing the effect the lack of extensive programs or economy has on the American people. Kennedy mentions the outcome of little consideration of consumption waste while other countries are going hungry. He uses the idea as America collaborating together to appeal to one’s patriotism. Nixon claims that an increase in medical care and social security will better the lives of millions who cannot afford proper
Kennedy says in his news conference," If this rise in the cost of steel is imitated by the rest of the industry, instead of rescinded, it would increase the cost of homes, autos, appliances, and most other items for every American family. It would increase the cost of machinery and tools to every American businessman and farmer. It would seriously handicap our efforts to prevent an inflationary spiral from eating up the pensions of our older citizens, and our new gains in purchasing power"(line 23-31) This shows that when the decline of the companies it will seriously handicap the American people due to the large increase in prices. This is also shown in, "And it would surely handicap our efforts to induce other industries and unions adopt responsible price and wage policies"(line 43-45)
Complication arise for all of us and all of us make mistakes that we later regret. Edward Kennedy made some wrong choices after the Chappaquiddick complication. Edward later tried to clear up the incident and tell his side of the story by delivering the Chappaquiddick speech on national television. The speech was given at his home just hours after taking a guilty plea. When we make mistakes it can be very difficult to clear the air but it is possible using the right approach.
On April 10, 1962, steel companies raised the prices by 3.5 percent of their products. President John F. Kennedy had tried to maintain steel prices at a stable rate. President John F. Kennedy, known for his diligence and persuasion, held a news conference about the hikes in steel prices. President John F. Kennedy, in his speech, uses rhetorical strategies such as diction, emotional appeals, and a persuasive tone to convince Americans that steel companies are declining the standards to maintain stable prices. Kennedy states that the steel companies are a national problem due to the increase of steel prices.
As America entered and went through dark economic tensions, President Kennedy strived for stable prices and wages. After the largest steel companies raised steel prices by 3.5 percent, Kennedy gave a speech in response. In the speech, Kennedy calls out the steel companies for actions that were “wholly unjustifiable” and “irresponsibly defiant” to the American people. He appeals to the audience’s emotion, uses repetition, and applies logic to achieve his goal in persuading the companies to lower steel prices.
John F. Kennedy discusses and analyzes on how the nation differs from the past and present day in that time period. Kennedy narrators on the division and war in the the world to appeal to the audience patriotism by using pathos and logos. In this speech President Kennedy states “to thoses who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin the quest for peace, before the dark power of destruction unleashed.” He uses this quote to obtain a logical appeal to the appeal to the people. Kennedy uses logos to show that he wants the nation to come together and be humble together in one peace.
John F. Kennedy was known for his charming, charismatic, and relatable personality which significantly attributed to him winning the presidency in 1960. These admirable characteristics of his were easily seen in his speeches as U.S. senator and as president, in which it was apparent he not only had the charm, but also incorporated his personal values into his administration as a public servent. One speech in particular which highlights this fact is his “City Upon a Hill” speech. John F. Kennedy’s “City Upon a Hill” speech was given on Jan. 9th 1961 as his final speech prior to being sworn in as president, which he delivered to the general court of Massachusetts. In this speech, Kennedy compared the impending challenges of his presidency to the troubles facing the first Puritan settlers of Massachusetts in the 1600's in John Winthrop’s original “city upon a hill” speech.
However, in parts of his speech Kennedy talks about how certain groups in the nation are working to help the people of America. For example in line 92 Kennedy talks about the Department of Defense. He talks about what they’re doing to figure out why the prices of steel are rising so quickly and what needs to be done to protect the public interest. By using positive and negative words Kennedy is able to make his opinion clear. The audience is able to see Kennedy’s negative opinion on the rising steel prices and his positive opinion on what different organizations are doing to help with the current steel crisis.
Also, he is stating to never be afraid and figure out ways to face them. By doing this, Kennedy left a greater impact on people by making his speech more
Therefore, when you listen to any speech, listen for rhetorical components. Kennedy describes situations and talks to the
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Junior’s, speech at his inaugural address in 1961 is undeniably a masterpiece of the persuasive arts. Although the speech is short as such speeches go, and although its main persuasive device is pathos alone, the masterful skill with which Kennedy’s speech is written makes it one of the most moving and effective political speeches to date. Kennedy’s vivid use of diction and metaphor, as well as his extremely memorable syntax, are particularly strong and successful. Every intelligent debater, speech-writer, and generally argumentative person knows that there are three main techniques which can be used to manipulate an audience and engage them in the speaker’s topic and purpose: ethos, logos, and pathos.