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Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Speech

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John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a young man Kennedy rapidly climbed the political latter by initially representing a working class Boston district in the United States Congress, then escalated to the House of Representatives, followed by the United States Senate, and ending with the victorious defeat of his presidential opponent, to become the 35th president of the United States of America. According to theatlantic.com, Kennedy was so well liked that “in the eyes of the world, this reticent man became a charismatic leader who, in his life and in his death, served as a symbol of purpose and hope.” As a result of John F. Kennedy’s appeal to the public, many articles, books, and …show more content…

Eleanor Clift’s, Inside Kennedy’s Inauguration, 50 Years On, had the same overall style of unity as Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, yet took a much different approach to transmit this style. Clift’s technique included the use of prolonged, personal accounts from citizens during JFK‘s inauguration, and the use of pathos. Personal accounts such as one from Richard Goodwin stating, “Dick, did you see the Coast Guard contingent in the parade? There was not a single black face in that delegation, and I want you to do something about it right away.”, emphasizes Goodwins trust in Kennedy to unify races. Clift also added pathos throughout dialogue between Rep. Charles Buckley and Seigenthaler that articulates ”What’s the best inaugural you’ve been to?” he asked. “the one we’re going to tomorrow,” said Rep. Charles Buckley’s New York. … “ We forgot, looking back on it, how powerful the anti-Catholic effort was,” Seigenthaler says now. “There were frozen tears of joy in the cheeks of Irish Catholics that day.” While adding another source for reliability, Clift also used a rhetorical device to emphasize not only Kennedy’s goal for unity, but her inclusive style of unity. The photograph taken by the United States Army Signal Corps picturing the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, produces a style of unity

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