John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

By: Shania IbrahimMarch 14th, 2014AP LanguageStites

SOAPStone: Speaker• John Fitzgerald Kennedy • Born on May 29th, 1917• John F. Kennedy was born in a rich,

politically oriented Boston family of Roman-Catholics. He lived a privileged childhood with the upmost expenses.

• Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from 1961-1963.

• Education: Harvard College, graduated in 1940.

• Political Party: Democrat • Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald on

November 22nd, 1963.

SOAPStone: Occasion

•Washington DC, at the US Capitol Building

•Given January 20th, 1961 •Elected as the 35th President and gave his

speech on behalf of his first day in office. •It is policy for each newly elected

President to deliver an inaugural address following the election. ▫Gives the citizens an idea of what goals he

expects to accomplish and shares how the people can help.

SOAPStone: Audience

•Given to the citizens of the United States, America’s Allies, and world leaders/powers.

SOAPStone: Purpose

•To inform the public and countries all over the world his plan to seek peace and how he wishes to accomplish that.

▫“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price,

bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order

to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

SOAPStone: Subject

•To get people to follow him and to support his aspirations. • “I do not shrink from this responsibility, I will welcome

it.” •To make citizens of the US

aware of the nation’s strengths and to it is important for them to serve both their country and the world.

SOAPStone: Tone

•Tone of Speech: secure , full of spirit, and optimistic.▫“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what

your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy showed eloquence and proudly

embraced his views. He was a young president, but was confident in what was to come and what he had planned for America. He had America’s best interests at heart.

Video

Rhetorical Strategies: Ethos

• Automatic Ethos: had instant credibility because he was our newly elected President. The people of our nation already looked up to him and knew who he was.

• Throughout the speech Kennedy mentioned God and this makes him even more credible. ▫ “The belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the

state, but from the hand of God.” ▫ “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath

our forebears prescribed.”

Rhetorical Strategies: Pathos

• “Tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, we are committed today at home and around the world.”▫ Kennedy says this to relate to his

audience to make them feel confident in their newly elected President and his objectives.

• “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.” ▫ This quote from Kennedy’s

address makes the audience feel patriotic and capable of making a change.

Rhetorical Strategies: Logos• “If a free society can not help the many who are poor, it can not save

the few who are rich.”▫ This is saying to stay free we must help everyone no matter what, with

no limitations. America is a country that aids and contributes. • “We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we

shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom. ▫ This refutes arguments against him.

• “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.”▫ If citizens show their devotion to America, the Democracy will then be

preserved.

Syntax/DictionSyntax Diction

• Kennedy uses short paragraphs to divide his thoughts and make his point greater. ▫ Short paragraphs make

dramatic pauses in his speech. Repeatedly says “let

both sides, “we date not,” and “this much we pledge.”

• Uses a lot of metaphors to create appeals to his audience.▫ “to assist free men and free

governments in casting off the chains of poverty.”

• Played a huge role in this Inaugural Address. He uses abstract words, such as poverty, misery, and freedom, to provide deeper/emotional feelings into the audience. ▫ “for only when our arms are

sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.”

Uses words that stand out versus simple words.

Other Rhetorical Strategies • Chiasmus-

▫ “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” This concentrates attention on

the main point of the passage and places it at a central turning point in his speech.

• Anaphora-▫ “To those old allies, we pledge

the loyalty to faithful friends. To those new states, we pledge our word. To those people in huts, we pledge our best efforts to help them.” This helps give emphasis that

Kennedy wants to achieve helping everyone around the world and will care for all types of people.

• Allusion-▫ “Let both sides unite to heed in all

corners of the earth to the command of Isaiah- to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free.” Kennedy makes numerous

references to the Bible. • Metaphor-

▫ “The bonds of mass misery.” “The chains of poverty.” Compares poverty to chains and

shows it is like being enslaved. • Parallelism-

▫ “United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do.” States either way, united or

divided, there is only so much they can do. It shows opposition.

Citations

•http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy

•http://www.speaklikeapro.co.uk/JFK_inaugural.htm

•http://serenaravengee.blogspot.com/2012/10/jfk-paper-diction-and-syntax.html