How does Kennedy Persuade the Audience in his Inaugural Address (Coursework Sample)

How does Kennedy Persuade the Audience in his Inaugural Address - A Rhetorical Analysis
1. Introduction
Rhetoric examines the explanation of communication in terms of context and the role of action of language on knowledge, attitudes and values( Haber and Lingard, 309).Through rhetorical analysis, it can be examined how the oral communication can persuade the audience ( Haber and Lingard, 311). One method of analyzing the rhetorical components in an oral communication is rhetorical triangle, which examines how the actors and devices in persuasion interact using a generalized framework. The main components of a rhetorical triangle are subject, occasion, audience, purpose and speaker (Townsend, 2). The inaugural speech by John F Kennedy, who sworn in as the President of America on 20th January 1961, is considered a best example of speech which used rhetorical strategy to effectively address the feelings of the audience (Tofel, p6).
2. Features of the Speech
On January 20, 1961, John F Kennedy delivered his inaugural speech after taking charge as the President. The final speech was delivered after several reworks and revisions (William, 558). He focused to be brief in his speech and concentrated on the message in his speech, length of the words and capturing the attention of the audience. The phrase, which he included in his speech "Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country" had been very popular even today all over the world (William, 558).
3.Rhetorical Triangle
The three main components of rhetorical triangle are purpose, audience and choice (Wright, 1). Each of these in the case of Kennedy's speech is given below.
3.1. Components
Purpose: The purpose of Kennedy, based on speech is the unification of America and all countries globally (William, 560). Thus, he aims at bringing welfare to all people and not only those in America. He needs the people to work for peaceful future from now itself ( William, 560).
Audience: The audience of Kennedy includes Americans and people globally. He aims at bringing brighter future to all people globally, in spite of being non-American (William, p558). Thus, from his speech it is clear that he addresses the global citizens, rather than just the Americans. This is evident from the quotation in his speech "Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you" (William, 1135).
Choice: He aims at bringing legitimate solution to the current issues .Thus his choice is to bring up current issues that he can offer solutions, which are legitimate. This is to match his words and actions.
3.2. Rhetorical appeals-The three avenues
The three main avenues of persuading people are logos, ethos and pathos (Wright, 2).
Logos: Example of logos or logic includes the phrase “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country "(William, 1135). Through these words, the appeal to logic is effectively seen by encouraging people to work together for the prosperity of the country. Moreover, he encourages people to work together for the peace of the world in his speech.
This is a very powerful one and encourages the people not bothering about war and insecurity and to work together for the betterment of the country and the world.
Ethos: Example of ethos include the following "" To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."(William, 1135). Thus, Kennedy persuades the audience through demonstrating his authority to handle the concerns of the people. He also demonstrates that people need to respect the freedom of other states formed and not try to impose power on them, thus working for world peace.
Pathos: Example of Pathos include the following "To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required—not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich"(American rhetoric.com, 12). Another one example for Pathos is " Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah—to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."( American rhetoric.com, 12).
These clearly show how his speech moves the audience through his appeal to the sufferings and burdens of the people.
4. Conclusion
The quote "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate" is an example of antithesis where it is shown that there will not be any threat to the country from opposition but at the same time, there is willingness to negotiate from Americas side. "This much we pledge and more" is an example of ellipsis where the author uses brief phrases and excludes additional words and thus emphasizing his previous ideas. The quote "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" is an example of hyperbole, where the power of America is stressed. The quote "Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, ‘rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation,’ a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself" is an example of Metanoia , where the statements are rec...