It is very important that when a new president is inaugurated, that he gives a superb inaugural address. Kennedys inaugural address article pdf available september 2015 with 2,790 reads how we measure reads. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that. President kennedys inaugural speech addressed not only the american people. This question asked students to analyze the rhetoric of a speech given by john f. We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedomsymbolizing an end as well as a beginningsignifying. Kennedys inaugural address, 1961 on january 20, 1961, john f. It contains a number of rhetorical devices that can be used as representations on how to. Rhetorical analysis of kennedys inaugural address essay. Kennedy used rhetorical devices in his inaugural address to show america that he was best for the job. During his tenure, he had accomplished many things including the making of the peace corps. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfk s inaugural address topic.
Kennedys inaugural address and his moon speech, which was prepared for a class, introduction to. It was arguably more elegant, rhythmic, and poetic than eisenhowers last speech. Leah moore jfk inaugural address analysis president john f. It was an inspirational speech which addressed what is to be an american. Kennedy delivered one of the most inspirational and uplifting inaugural addresses in u. Rhetorical analysis of john f kennedy inaugural speech. Kennedy friday, january 20, 1961 vice president johnson, mr. This paper provides a rhetorical analysis of president john f. Our writers will create an original analysis of john f. Major themes of president kennedy s inaugural address. Kennedy employed the rhetorical elements of ethos in his 1961 inaugural address to persuade his audience to accepts and take specific actions deemed fit for the nation.
He knew how to use his words to rally support from his audience. Jfk s inaugural address was given almost 60 years ago. Kennedy was sworn in as the thirtyfifth president of the united states. Current paper is to discuss the key reasons for the speech to be such a memorable both from the viewpoint of politics and as a masterpiece of public literature. Kennedy s purpose is to bring people together in hopes of bettering the world. Jfk s inaugural address on january 20, 1961 the 35th president of these united states, john f. John f kennedy served in office from january 1961 to november 1963. United states department of education and public programs, john f. Kennedy s inaugural address on january 20th, 1961 and it signifies his formal induction into the white house. John f kennedy or better known as jfk by his initials was the 35th president of the united states. Presidential inaugural address delivered 20 january 1961 authenticity certified. Kennedys inaugural speech as president of the united states of. Anaphora ethos pathos logos comparison antithesis metaphors and hyperboles kennedy uses. Kennedy spoke some of the most memorable and moving words in history.
This product provides the background with a comparison between eisenhower and kennedy. A rhetorical analysis of the inaugural address of john f. As an aging, bald president eisenhower stepped down, he passed the baton to the young, handsome, blessedwithgreathair john f. Kennedy is one of the well known public speakers in the world. Rhetorical analysis of jfk s inaugural address on january 20 year 1961, john f. At that time, kennedy was the young est man ever elected president.
This is one of the effects of how the author can upset the readers from each word written in the. Kennedy in his presidential inaugural address, delivers a hopeful, inspiring speech about the actions he will take and the actions he expects citizens to take to achieve world peace. Kennedy, who had repeatedly called for stable prices and wages as part of a program of national sacrifice during a period of economic distress, held a news conference on. Kennedys inaugural address is frequently praised as one. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address in which he announced that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose. Kennedys inaugural address was direct, simple, and unifying. An inaugural address is a speech for a very specific eventbeing sworn into the office of the presidency. A literary analysis of an inaugural speech by john f. It painted an optimistic picture of improved relations between the cold war superpowers. His short, fourteenminute inaugural address is best remembered for a single line. Kennedy s inaugural address on january 20, 1961, president.
Chief justice, president eisenhower, vice president nixon, president truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedomsymbolizing an end, as well as a beginningsignifying. Major themes of president kennedys inaugural address. Kennedy s inaugural address is one of the most famous speeches of american history. In january 20, 1961, his speech that was dedicated for his countrymen became one of the best inaugural address in history. The ethos is defined as how a given author or speaker uses his or her reputation as a way to convince the audience to accept and believe on what he or she is saying. The election of 1960 had been close, and the democratic senator from massachusetts was eager to gather support for his agenda. Rhetorical devices in the inaugural address of john f. John fitzgerald kennedy, inaugural address 20 january 1961 1 vice president johnson, mr. Kennedys purpose is to impress upon readers the idea. As he ascended the rostrum to deliver his inaugural address, he must have been acutely aware that his legitimacy as the american president was still in doubt by a great many americans. Kennedy, a scholar of history, begins his speech by addressing several of the dignitaries in.
Kennedy, whose inaugural address still stands as one of the best speeches in the american tradition. President kennedy s inaugural address president kennedys inaugural speech addressed not only the american people, but also people throughout the worldincluding newly independent nations, old allies, and the soviet union. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 by one of the slimmest margins, both electorally and popularly, in the history of the united states. Jfk s inaugural address was worldchanging it wasnt even his best, but kennedy s inaugural speech was wise and courageous, writes the presidents primary speechwriter. His speech includes many rhetorical devicesincluded to help convey kennedys subject to his audience. The main themes were freedom, peace, gods role in our lives and service to others or personal accountability. President kennedys inaugural speech addressed not only the american.
Kennedy was inaugurated as president on january 21, 1961. Kennedy, former president of the united states his term was from 1961 1963. Kennedy, however, used very few in his inaugural address. Ethos as used in jfks 1961 inaugural address academic. Chief justice, president eisenhower, vice president nixon, president truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens. Rhetorical analysis of jfks inaugural address essay. John f kennedy, the 35th president of the united states and leader of the free world through the cold war, in his inaugural address, ardently calls for unity in pursuit of the greater good for all people. Kennedy jfk delivered an inaugural speech that has become a landmark and the best studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a. For him, contrasts were the preferred weapon, coming as they did at a rate of about one every 39 seconds in this particular speech. Kennedys inaugural address, 1961 ap us history study. Jfk inaugural speech ethos, pathos, and logos historical context rhetorical devices this speech is historical because it is john f.
Supreme court chief justice earl warren administers the oath of office to president kennedy. Includes images of original primary source documents. Text version below transcribed directly from audio vice president johnson, mr. Kennedy inaugural speech essay for you create order therefore, he was not an inspirational leader and through his words he was able. Whenever he speaks, he makes sure that he always have the ability in getting the attention of his audience. Rhetorical analysis of kennedys inauguration address. Rhetorical terms and techniques of persuasion from kennedys inaugural address. Kennedy calmed fears from the civil war and rise of the soviet power by introducing change and promoting peace throughout the nation for the benefit of the whole world. The young presidents reliance on biblical quotations, metaphors, parallelism, and antithesis recall some of the powerful speeches of abraham lincoln. Words matter and the words of the presidents of the united states are especially important because our president serves as a symbol of the nation. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfks inaugural address jfk library.
A rhetorical identification analysis of english political public speaking. He is often considered one of the most legendary, progressive and. Kennedy inaugural address friday, january 20, 1961 heavy snow fell the night before the inauguration, but thoughts about cancelling the plans were overruled. My analysis of this speech includes his clear call to action for the american people to unite together with the rest of humanity to ensure human rights, freedom, peace, and stability for the world. The subject is that human rights are determined by god, rather than the government. By delivering his inaugural speech, president kennedy mentioned not only the american people, but also people from over the world including new states, old allies, and the soviet union. Analysis of obamas inaugural address, sample of dissertations. In this lesson plan, students are challenged to consider how the speech might have resonated with some of these audiences.
Integrate ideas and information from different sources. This study guide consists of approximately 22 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of john f. Kennedys inaugural address, january 20, 1961 john f. Featuring 100 milestone documents of american history from the national archives. The text of the speech is provided with guiding questions. Prompt analysis on april 10, 1962, as the united states was emerging from a recession, the nations largest steel companies raised steel prices by 3. Kennedy, in his first inaugural address, aims to inspire americans by outlining his plans for the future as he is being sworn into office.
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