Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address
Analyzing the Rhetoric of JFK’s Inaugural Address
Topic: John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Time Required: 1-2 class periods
Goals/Rationale
An inaugural address is a speech for a very specific event—being sworn into the office of the presidency. The speeches of modern presidents share some commonalities in referencing
American history, the importance of the occasion, and hope for the future. Each president, however, has faced the particular challenges of his time and put his own distinctive rhetorical stamp on the address.
In the course of writing this address, John F. Kennedy and Theodore Sorensen, his advisor and main speechwriter, asked for and received suggestions from advisors and …show more content…
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
“United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do…”
Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory, yet turns out to have a rational meaning “Only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.”
Repetition: a word or phrase used two or more times in close proximity
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
Using Emotion-Arousing Words freedom, liberty
Using Fear
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
“…its hour of maximum danger.”
Using References to the Past
“I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.”
“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our
Topic: John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Time Required: 1-2 class periods
Goals/Rationale
An inaugural address is a speech for a very specific event—being sworn into the office of the presidency. The speeches of modern presidents share some commonalities in referencing
American history, the importance of the occasion, and hope for the future. Each president, however, has faced the particular challenges of his time and put his own distinctive rhetorical stamp on the address.
In the course of writing this address, John F. Kennedy and Theodore Sorensen, his advisor and main speechwriter, asked for and received suggestions from advisors and …show more content…
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
“United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do…”
Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory, yet turns out to have a rational meaning “Only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.”
Repetition: a word or phrase used two or more times in close proximity
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
Using Emotion-Arousing Words freedom, liberty
Using Fear
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
“…its hour of maximum danger.”
Using References to the Past
“I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.”
“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our