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Ironical Rhetorical Analysis Of JFK Inaugural Address

Decent Essays

Shahrukh Azim
Mr. Webb
AP Lang
Rhetorical Analysis – JFK
10/28/2014
JFK Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis While the speech’s respectful eloquence is appropriate for the occasion of an inauguration, its youthful energy and look to the future make it distinctly John F. Kennedy’s. , The people of the United States desperately needed a boost in morale with ongoing tension of races, inequalities, the fight against communism and the cold war. The people were convinced that this war would be never ending, and believed in another inevitable war. From the beginning to the end of JFK’s speech, he uses a plethora of rhetorical devices to comfort the people and fill them with confidence.

He starts out his speech by antithesis to thank the people …show more content…

His use of trope, “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate” explains America’s policies with handling negotiations with other countries. Using the phrase “both sides” as well as incorporating logos, he explains why it is logical to avoid war. The use of “both sides” suggest that he isn’t take any one sides part, but is looking at war as a whole, a war between two sides, looking through the eyes of each side and understanding what causes it. He wants us to unite and look at society and its changes positively: “where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.” His plea for peace both within the country and around the world let the audience know that he genuinely is against war, a terror that they were sick and tired …show more content…

Will you join in that historic effort?” He calls out directly to the citizens, using the words “my fellow Americans” which gives the effect that he is no different than the common man, but merely an important “figure” in a suit behind a podium. He energizes the crowd, raises their morale, ignites them with confidence, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for your country.” He summons us all to take part and action into changing the nation as a whole, step by step, slowly but surely. And finally, he restates it, but this time, referring to the world, “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of

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