...2015 The Reviving and Inspiring Words of JFK’s Inaugural Address John F. Kennedy delivered one of the strongest inaugural speeches on January 20, 1961, after he was sworn into the presidential office. The purpose of giving an inaugural address is to inspire the American public to get involved with their country. John F. Kennedy was the youngest president ever elected and he needed a strong speech to demonstrate integrity as a leader. Kennedy wanted his presidency to be one of hope and opportunities. Throughout his speech, President John F. Kennedy is able to effectively inspire and convince the nation his determination for peace and hope for America by use of simplicity and rhetorical...
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...Inauguration Speeches are a custom that has existed since the very first inauguration featuring the United States first president, George Washington. During Washington’s second inauguration, after his re-election, Washington gave the shortest Inaugural address on record. This address was just 135 words. Nonetheless, every president since Washington has delivered an Inaugural address. The purpose of this address is for presidents to present their vision of the country (United States) and to set forth their goals for the nation. With that being said, this paper will use the strategy of genre analysis to critique to examine Barack Obama’s second Inaugural Address and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech. Genre analysis is a type of rhetorical analysis that examines speeches based on the artifacts or commonalities that contain. The artifacts of speech are created by the rhetor as a response to a specific exigency. So as Bitzer’s essay, The Rhetorical Situation, saw it, in order for a text to be rhetorical, it must come in response to a rhetorical situation. Furthermore a rhetorical situation has three characteristics, an audience, an existence of constraints, and as mentioned above, an exigency. One manner, in which we can analyze an artifact, is through...
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...January 20,1961 was an almost unbearably wintry day, yet John F. Kennedy's inaugural address heated up the hearts and passions of many Americans. A young and controversial candidate, Kennedy presented his speech to Americans graciously, proclaiming the greatness of the country. He tactfully targeted and praised each and every member of the audience, from Massachusetts to Moscow. A synthesis of artful diction and promoting patriotism, John F Kennedy's speech conveys a sense of faith to the audience while subtly promoting the president in a new light that is relatable to all Americans. Listening to the speech, one may feel in awe of the powerful words Kennedy calmly utters. Upon further inspection of the speech, each word is utilized not only to persuasively describe America, but to describe himself. John F Kennedy uses words that are related to "new" and "young", a parallel to his own identity. As he declares to a "new generation of Americans" that this is a "beginning", "renewal", and "change", he excites the audience by sharing his contemporary hopes to correspond his contemporary self. Indeed, the young new president represented change and was willing to share this with America. John F Kennedy knew his viewers. In his inaugural address, Kennedy was conscious of the broad and diverse public listening to him speak. In order to be accepted by the masses, he focused in on the varying groups in different sections of his speech. He complimented and skillfully appealed to each and...
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...must have had to live during that time. It must have been a brutally ugly and scary time to live in. I think about the recent elections and the problems we face today, they seem so trivial compared to what happened during this time in history. The American people must have been concerned with the state of their country and the seemingly never-ending possibilities of yet another devastating war. However, they were optimistic about the young president they had elected a few months earlier to lead their country. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn into office on January 20, 1961 at the age of 43. John F Kennedy promised to unite the people in a way never done before. He wanted to start fresh, wipe the slate clean, and focus on building instead of tearing apart. His inaugural address to the American citizens that morning gave the people a sense of comfort and confidence in their young leader that was desperately needed. It was not, however, an easy era to give such a speech in. “Heavy snow fell the night before the inauguration, but the thoughts about canceling the plans were overruled.” (Bartlby.com, 1989) During the time of the early 1960’s the United States was dealing with the oppression of African Americans and their civil rights. Sits in’s had begun and many African Americans including Martin Luther King Jr. had started to emerge as popular...
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...The legacy of John F. Kennedy is portrayed through his 1961 inaugural address, the views of those who attended the event and photographs that were taken of the event. Each of the three descriptions (speech, article and photo) illustrate a different style ways to communicate to the audience. Each person, including President John F. Kennedy wanted to share their thoughts about an aspect of the times the country was going through, the event itself and the Presidency and his family and close friends. The authors used different techniques to communicate their points. In the inaugural speech, that was given on a cold January day in 1961, President Kennedy wanted to give a message to the world that he was celebrating a new beginning. He starts the speech by telling the citizens about his beliefs and what he wanted for the nation. He used a style of writing in his speech that included the use of words, sounds and syllables that were the repeated so that those listening would remember and understand his message. His focus was clear and he wanted others to trust his intentions and what he wanted from the citizens. His speech ended with his famous quote “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Different from the inaugural address given by President J.F. Kennedy, the author who wrote the article “Inside Kennedy’s Inauguration, 50 Years On” wrote about the day and the inauguration using vivid words that made the ready see the day and feel what...
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...Ashley Freeman Dr. Earnest United States History II 1302 December 3, 2013 Analyzing John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address Even though we are not sure if John F. Kennedy wrote his own speeches or not, what we can tell from his Inaugural Address, is that the person was well educated and was definitely a political individual. At first, the audience was just the citizens that had ended up showing up for the speech and the ones who watched the address on the television, but then he starts his speech. He was not just talking to everyone in America but also everyone in the world. In the address, President Kennedy talks about the conflict with Russia and weapons during his speech. This speech was written because John wanted other countries, mainly Russia, what to expect with his years while he was a president. The key points of his speech had a lot to do with the growing troubles that the country was having with Russia. John F. Kennedy talked about how he did not only want to help people who lived in America but also the ones over the sea, who had wanted to get rid of the iron tyranny that plague their colonies. He then talks to Mexico, saying how he wanted to help set them free of poverty and that we would always have an alliance for the progress. Not only did President Kennedy support the United Nations, he wanted to renew our support. After that, he goes on to talk about how the countries that were against the United States and others, should take a pledge for peace, instead of...
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...History 112 | John F. Kennedy | A Brief Biography of a Great and Good President | Lam Bui 12/11/2011 | Being the youngest and first catholic president; John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) brought a new perspective into the White House. His upbringing and experiences, from school to World War two, are what contributed to his future decisions made as president. During his administration, he was successful in creating and promoting the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which helped encourage Americans to leave racism in the past. Another significant legislative for Kennedy was the Alliance for Progress in whom mission lies in providing aid and creating a better standard of human rights in different regions. Daily choices made by any individual are based on values they’ve accumulated throughout their alive. John F. Kennedy values can be said to have accumulated from his years as a youth in Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut to attendance at Harvard University. Then in World War 2, he demonstrated grit and perseverance as his rescues his fellow shipmate by tugging him back to land with his bare teeth. Born and raised in the wealthy neighborhoods of Brookline, Massachusetts with eight other siblings. His father, Joseph Kennedy was the chairman of United States Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC), and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was a homemaker. Rose family had a lineage of popular politicians such as John Francis Fitzgerald, mayor of Boston. His father, Joseph Kennedy came from a...
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...On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy gave one of the most memorable speeches when he gave his inaugural address. That day, the people of the United States observed him in person, as well as on television. This speech’s goal was to persuade Americans to be active in their country. The address was so influential, people still remember quotes from it today. Kennedy appealed to a large amount of people through the use of ethos, pathos, and logos. In addition, he created a certain compelling rhythm by including parallelism throughout his speech. Kennedy’s inaugural speech assured and convinced citizens, and in return made them realize that with a new president comes a new beginning. One of the devices Kennedy used that assisted in persuading citizens through his structure is parallelism. During his speech, he created a flowing tempo in which presented that each topic was extremely important. For example, to emphasize how significant pledging the country's loyalty is, Kennedy opened each concerning paragraph with “to those.” By doing this, he created a large scale, parallel structure. On a smaller stance, Kennedy states, “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate” (3). Therefore, he produced an unforgettable quote by simply using...
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...John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address By Leah Albright John F Kennedy delivered one of the most memorable speeches on January 20, 1961 after being sworn into office. His inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still remembered by people today. It is one of the finest speeches ever written. People who never heard the speech can quote lines from it. Being that JFK was the youngest president to ever be in office there is no doubt that he encountered a lot of skepticism. This speech had many purposes but most importantly it gave him positive recognition. The inaugural address was written to encourage the American public to get actively involved with their country. It also reassured them that it was not a contest that he won but rather a chance at a new beginning. This speech reassured the voters that they made the right choice and informed a country that they were going to see some changes. The inaugural speech was structured so that it flowed. There is a lot of comparison and contrast in the first paragraph of the speech. For example “We observe today not a victory of a party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as a beginning—signifying a renewal as well as change.” There is also some cause and effect in the paper. I think that this is to be expected because of all the discussions on war. He made it sound like it was our moral responsibility that we should go to war. These are...
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...John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech: A Rhetorical Analysis John F Kennedy delivered one of the finest speeches on January 20, 1961 after being sworn into office. His inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nations attention, and quotes from it are still remembered by people today. It is one of the finest speeches ever written. It provides a strong appeal to pathos, ethos and logos, and it is because of this that people who never heard the speech can quote lines from it. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He graduated from Harvard, and joined the navy. He worked as a reporter before entering the political arena. He later wrote “profiles in courage” which won the Pulitzer Prize Award. Being that JFK was the youngest president to ever be in office there is no doubt that he encountered a lot of skepticism. This speech had many purposes but most importantly it gave him positive recognition. The inaugural address was written to encourage the American public to get actively involved with their country. It also ... middle of paper ... ...61 that made this speech so memorable, emotional, and meaningful. In conclusion this essay was both powerful and eloquent. Its use of expressive and figurative language makes it a memorable speech. JFK uses his speech to communicate his commitment to the American public as well as the expected changes. His use of logos, ethos, and pathos makes it an incredible piece of writing...
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...An Effort Closer to A Better Country “The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy is considered one of the greatest speeches in twentieth-century American public address,” says Sara Ann Mehltretter from Penn State University. The 1960s was an important time during American history. In John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration Address, he used ethos, pathos and logos, to grab the audience’s full attention about the worries of communism and nuclear warfare. Historical Background During the early 1950s, the Korean War is taking place. The current president ordered makings of hydrogen bombs. In 1955, Rosa Parks, an African American, refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Which caused a boycott, that lead to bus segregations being unconstitutional by The Federal Court. The time of the election of John F. Kennedy as president, the 1950s were known by an unpleasant tension that was ongoing between the United States and the Soviet Union, historically known as The Cold War. The Cold War...
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...1021 Issacson 10/13/14 John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20th, 1961. At this time, America was in the middle of the cold war. The soviets had launched sputnik, Fidel Castro recently came into power, and he installed a communist government in Cuba. Truman’s containment policy was still in the forefront of American’s minds. Not to mention, America was also in the midst of the civil rights movement. Kennedy’s election came at a very pivotal time in history, not only was America fighting for foreign freedom but also Americans were fighting for domestic freedom. In his inaugural address, John F. Kennedy instantly creates his ethos: “Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. 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 freedom – symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change.” In these opening lines he gives his colleagues a nod of respect, which gives Jefferson the respect of the U.S. Not to mention, his opening lines are drawn from Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural address, which gives Kennedy even more credibility. Immediately, in the intro of his inaugural address, he makes it clear that he wants this day and this election not to be remembered as a party victory, but as a victory for freedom. This intro alone gives him a solid bass of ethos to stand on. Later in the speech, Kennedy proves himself a brave leader...
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...This culminating activity included two essays and a picture all about inaugurations. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, the given speech, was given by John F. Kennedy. Inside Kennedy’s Inauguration, 50 Years On, the given essay, was written by Eleanor Clift and included the memories, given from the friends and family of John F. Kennedy, of the inauguration. The three components of the activity have mainly similar styles each of which gives their own perspective and contrasting techniques to portray the inauguration of JFK. The first article was a speech for the inauguration, the second was telling of the details people didn’t see, and the photograph showed what people wouldn’t get from a simple composition and let people study all the...
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... John F. Kennedy (USA President: 1961-1963) November 22, 1963 |October 28, 1962 |October 22, 1962 |October 16, 1962 |May 25, 1961 |January 20, 1961 |November 8, 1960 |May 29, 1917 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |JFK is assassinated while riding through the streets of Dallas, Texas. Lyndon Johnson becomes president |Soviet Union agrees to remove its missiles from Cuba |JFK announces naval quarantine of Cuba |The U.S. obtains photos of Soviet missile emplacements in Cuba, bringing about the Cuban Missile Crisis |President John F. Kennedy's "Man on the Moon" Address |John F. Kennedy is sworn in as President of the United States and makes his inaugural address |JFK defeats Nixon and becomes president |Birth of John F. Kennedy in Brookline, Massachusetts | | Meital David – ID#: 039024898 Alon E. Nachmany – ID#: 302259593 John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29th, 1917, into a rich, politically connected Boston family of Irish-Catholics. Even though his childhood was abundant with frequent and serious illnesses; John still strove to create his own path in life, writing a best-selling book, while still attending Harvard University, and volunteering for combat in World War II. After the war, John pursued journalism, but soon after entered politics, serving the US House of Representatives (1947 – 1953) and the Senate (1953 – 1961). The most significant events in Kennedy's life were soon to follow. After making his mark in the political field, Kennedy announced...
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...John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He delivered a great speech on January 20, 1961 after he was sworn into office. His speech was very powerful and quotes are still remembered till this day. His speech had many purposes but most importantly he got positive recognition. The speech was written to encourage the American people to get involved with their country. The speech basically reassured voters that they made the right choice and informed the country that they were going to see some changes. John F Kennedy at the beginning of the speech made it sound like because it was our moral responsibility that we should go to war. He said, “We observe today not a victory of a party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing and end as well as a beginning, signifying a renewal as well as change.” (Kennedy, 1961) Statements such as, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” (Kennedy, 1961), demonstrate how Kennedy appealed to the citizens by using reason. The use of logos in his speech was minimal compared to the use of pathos, and ethos. But in the few areas where it is evident it is used so well that even the minute usage of it made it better speech. JFK used common sense and common knowledge and the use of it in writing strengthens speeches and better establishes the writer. The Kennedy’s were a well-known political family with high morals and good character. So it was normal in john F Kennedy’s inaugural speech...
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