John F. Kennedy Analysis free essay sample

President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address on a January afternoon in 1961. His speech includes many rhetorical devices—included to help convey Kennedy’s subject to his audience. The subject is that human rights are determined by God, rather than the government. Some rhetorical devices Kennedy uses are parallelism, anaphora, and hortative sentences. John F. Kennedy’s use of rhetorical devices within his inaugural address help him convey his message to his audience. John F. Kennedy uses parallelism in his inaugural address to help convey his message to his audience. Near the beginning of his speech John F. Kennedy says that Americans will â€Å"pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe,† in order to preserve liberty. This example of parallelism clarifies to the audience that Kennedy intends to do anything it takes to preserve liberty. Kennedy uses parallelism again in the nineteenth paragraph when he says that both sides of a conflict should join in creating â€Å"a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved. We will write a custom essay sample on John F. Kennedy Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page † His use of parallel structure here tells the audience that Kennedy’s goal is to help all people, while securing freedom and peace. Kennedy’s strongest use of parallelism is in the sixteenth through nineteenth paragraphs when he says, Let both sides explore what problems unite us†¦ Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms†¦ Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science†¦Let both sides unite to†¦ let the oppressed go free. This example of parallelism repetitively states the idea of unity between nations. John F. Kennedy uses anaphora in his inaugural address to help convey his message to his audience. In the eighth paragraph he says, â€Å"not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. † He is pledging to help those who are less fortunate. His use of rhetoric tells the audience that John F. Kennedy will stand for what is right, rather than what is popular. Kennedy uses anaphora again in the twenty-second paragraph when he points out the struggle against poverty, tyranny, disease, and war, â€Å"not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are. † This example of rhetoric emphasizes that we must bear the burden of poverty, tyranny, disease, and war, rather than fight them. John F. Kennedy uses hortative sentence in his inaugural address to help convey his message to his audience. Calls to action make up a good portion of Kennedy’s speech. His repetitive use of â€Å"let both sides† signifies that he does not plan on doing this alone. His approach commands that citizens ask themselves what they can do to help. Kennedy’s diction is very motivating. He uses words such as â€Å"formulate† and â€Å"seek† and â€Å"unite†. These words serve as commands for his audience to formulate a plan, seek the means to carry it out, and to ultimately unite. He says, â€Å"All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin. † Kennedy is telling his audience that his goals will take a long time to accomplish, but he is calling them to action to begin in taking measures to achieve his goals. His use of rhetoric gives the audience a hope for the future, and motivates them to do their part as citizens for the good of the future. He persuades them in this way before giving his final call to action. Kennedys specific diction, effective rhetoric, and committed tone throughout his inaugural address reassure Americans of the intentions of their new president. His use of rhetorical devices proves to the citizens that he has strong intentions of increasing peace and establishing unity, by emphasizing hiss views, reinforcing his objectives, and calling Americans to action. John F. Kennedy’s use of rhetorical devices within his inaugural address help to convey his message to his audience.