On a cold day in 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered a speech that will live on in fame, to unite everyone in the world. JFK did not use his close victory as a bragging point or talk about his crowd size, but he expertly crafted his speech to address the crowd in a tone of unity, and hope. His speech features a strong appeal not only to his ethics but our ethics as a country to come together. JFK also displays powerful emotion through his many call to actions to help the country. His implementation of logical arguments are used to convince the audience to take a stand and make a difference. Additionally, the use of a structurally and logically sound argument with powerful imagery and emotions used throughout the speech allows this call to action …show more content…
The 1960’s was a time on the verge of war, and Kennedy’s goal was to make his audience come together for the sake of the country. In one specific example, JFK uses allusion. An allusion is a literary device used to stimulate ideas and associations. JFK said, “Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah—to ‘undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free.’" In this instance, JFK references the Bible. This creates a sense of connection, on a religious level, and it also shows that JFK is a god fearing man, as many were religious during this time. Another way that JFK took an ethical approach to his speech was through his use of juxtaposition. A juxtaposition is the combination of two contrasting items often done deliberately to highlight their differences. Kennedy writes, “we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.” In this case, Kenedy is comparing the generation of earlier violent times in America, when we were in the first revolution, to the generation of the 1960’s. Kennedy is saying that people need to move on from violence, hate, and war, and move on to the idea of
Kennedy John F Kennedy was one of the most influential presidents in the USA’s history, he led the US through great turmoil and was known for his public speaking and leadership abilities. His actions and voice directly impacted many aspects of American life, and he was seen as a voice of reason and power. He gave many speeches and wrote many letters. However, his national addresses on April 11, 1962, regarding the raised steel prices is a masterclass in how a speaker can use rhetorical devices to elevate and detail their message. For example, Kennedy uses a friendly human tone during his speech that instill a sense of sameness and understanding with the citizens, this is elevated by his simpler word choice that comes across as a true message
On April 4, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivered the nation with the horrific news of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In doing so, Robert F. Kennedy makes an attempt at persuading the audience to make the best decisions for the benefit of this country. He believes that all citizens who are filled with anger and hatred should not give into their desire for revenge, but learn to love and forgive. Robert F. Kennedy effectively supports The argument of Robert F. Kennedy’s speech is that Americans should replace their bitterness and hatred with the desire to love and forgive. Robert F. Kennedy effectively develops and persuades his argument with the use of rhetoric and references.
John F. Kennedy was one of the first presidents to use broadcast television to address the nation. He is historically commended for his use of the newly developed technology and he utilized the resource in a methodical and strategic advantage. On June 11th, 1963, JFK delivered his speech, A Moral Dilemma, to the nation over broadcast television and threw his full support behind the civil rights movement and desegregation. This was a turning point--not only in the Civil Rights movement--but in American History. Through his use of rhetorical devices and analysis, Kennedy conveys the importance of desegregation and racial equality while exposing the hypocrisy within American foreign policy and domestic policy and creating a call to action--specifically geared towards white Americans.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1961 – a time full of uncertainty. In order to assure America that he was the right person for the job, he had to deliver an Inaugural Address that would comfort the American people, assuring them that they made the right decision in electing him. He did just that. The first Roman Catholic President delivered his Inaugural Address with powerful words that not only assured Americans who voted for him that they made the right decision, but also swayed the opinions of Americans who did not. Kennedy’s use of parallelisms in his Inaugural Address, specifically anaphora and antithesis, enables him to effectively inform America of his intentions as President and prove that he is the right man for the job.
Kennedy appeals to pathos to heighten the emotion of all Americans so they feel compelled to get involved with the success of their country. Kennedy specifically calls out Americans to step up and show their nationalism. Kennedy states, “since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty” (21). Each generation has proven to show their love for this country ever since America was founded. By relating back to America's history, Kennedy heightens the emotions of all to prove that the individuals alive can not let America down by not helping change and better the lives of each citizen.
Kennedy uses imagery to describe the brutality in America by saying it stains “our land” and stains “every one of our lives.” Toward’s the beginning, his tone is grave as he draws attention to his concern of unnecessary violence. He uses alliteration in “shame and sorrow,” and “mindless menace,” enthralls the audience and leads them to recognizing that Kennedy’s speech is not meant to promote useless politics, but to recognize that there is a deep seated problem in America and the people desperately need to do something about it. In paragraph 5, Kennedy uses juxtaposition to describe situations that most people would deem to be immoral with those that could be seen as justifiable. For example, he says that acts of violence done “in the name of the law” or “the defiance of the law” and “in an attack of violence” or “in response to violence,” whether it could be seen as good or not, are absolutely unacceptable.
JFK Inaugural Speech: Rhetoric John F. Kennedy was marginally voted in as President in 1961, a moment in history when there was nothing but silence, yet one miscalculated move could result in the destruction of man. This was in the midst of the Cold War, in which there was tons of tension in the air, which is clearly observable in Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech. Winning by a slim majority it’s necessary for him to convince the American citizens that he was the right choice and is trustworthy. Along with this he addresses the current situation in which Russia was becoming increasingly perilous and the need for peace and unity before a catastrophe occurs.
If imagery or contrast do not move his audience initially, Kennedy makes sure to reinforce his purpose with anaphora. He first asserts repeatedly that “we need to make an effort” to show the understanding that Martin Luther King Jr. did, and we should “make an effort” to “go beyond these rather difficult times.” The repetition of these words makes the audience more likely to remember his purpose and act on it. Kennedy then rephrases his previous idea by using a mix of both anaphora and antithesis: “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another…” His use of these schemes pushes the audience again to discard the ideas of violence they may have held and incorporate King’s way of thinking into their lives.
Robert F Kennedy, in Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4th, 1968), argues that through tough times, no matter the color of one 's skin the nation needs to come together and support each other. He supports his claim by using repetition, allusion, and presentation skills. Kennedy’s purpose is to inform the audience of Martin Luther King Junior’s assassination and to convey the importance of coming together as a nation in order to get through the tragedy. Kennedy was advised not to attend the speech due to concerns of safety in the neighborhood, yet proceeded even when his security team did not. The speech was, other than a few notes, improvised.
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.
In this momentous speech, Kennedy must persuade his fellow Americans that the best way for mankind to operate is to create a sense of peace and togetherness. He asks the citizens of the United States, “Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? “ JFK realized that if he can bring together all nations, it would be a monumental landmark in history and could bring world peace, an idea long lost in history, back to the people. Kennedy uses a rhetorical questions to call upon man’s instinct to be known and go down in
John F. Kennedy uses literary devices to capture the attention of the audience, sets himself equal to his audience getting their attention and support, and uses the christian religion to strike the emotions and gain the support of his audience. Kennedy uses many literary devices to catch the attention of his audience. One of these devices is repetition. One example of repetition that Kennedy uses is, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
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
In his impassioned speech at a fundraising event for the Kennedy Library Foundation, Ronald Reagan described the sensational man that John F Kennedy was and the legacy that followed him. The event at which the speech was given was held under the premise of raising money to further support the presidential library, and Reagan made it a priority to recognize the admirable and important contributions Kennedy made to the entire world and pay tribute to a great figure in history. He prioritized the recognition of Kennedy’s character, actions, and impact that the audience would relate to and understand. His audience was the possible donors to the fund so it was important that they were aware of what Kennedy stood for and what he contributed to society
President John F. Kennedy a Berliner in Spirit After World War 2 Germany was split up into 4 sectors governed by the four Allied powers, United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. When the Berlin Wall was placed around the West portion they did not respond forcefully. Willi Brandt, the mayor of the city, criticized Western democracies. He mainly criticized the United States for not taking a stand against the wall. response President John F. Kennedy delivered the speech “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” to show the Soviets that the United States did not agree with communism and that they will stand up for the freedom of West Berlin.