Inaugural Speech - Free Essay Sample

Introduction

Jeff Kennedy possessed a unique persuasive talent in winning Americans and global citizens' support in pushing a given idea. The different speeches Kennedy made as the president of America from the day of inauguration and presidency won majority of the peoples’ attraction and attention due to the strategic use of words and metaphors. One of Kennedy's famous speeches that won the heart of many was during the inauguration on January 20, 1961. The speech was based on a persuasion agenda to win the support of those who voted for him and those who voted for opponents. Similarly, the speech was intended to persuade the diverse global foreign players to remain and become friends of America in resolving different problems faced by the world. Accordingly, the extent to which the speech was persuasive in winning the objectives of Jeff K. Kennedy has been evaluated using a rhetorical analysis.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Aspect of the Image

One of the elements demonstrating the persuasiveness of Kennedy’s speech is the aspect of the image. The image implies the visual and verbal representation of the characteristic of an individual through the perception created in the audiences’ minds. The image perceived in the minds of audiences towards a speaker is crucial in determining the effectiveness of a speech in winning their persuasion (Utoledo 2). The opening statement of the speech, as depicted below, was effective in winning the persuasion of the supporters and non-supporters targeted by Kennedy in supporting his administration due to the image is created.

“Fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change” (Youtube 1).

The statement had the effect of creating a unifying image of Kennedy in bringing all as Americans in celebrating the freedom born out of the election, but not a victory of only his supporters and the Democratic party. The extent of recognizing audiences as fellow Americans and indicating that it is not a party’s victory, but America’s beginning of freedom had the effect of creating an image of a president ready to serve all citizens irrespective of their person of choice during election. Consequently, the element of a unifying image visualized from this statement helped persuade all Americans to support the president to accomplish his plan.

Concept of Pathos

Similarly, Kennedy employed the concept of pathos to appeal to the targeted audiences by evoking emotion. Pathos is vital in persuading people to buy your idea due to the feelings of happiness, courage, anger, or fear they might elicit (Isu.edu 2). The use of pathos dominates the speech to win the support of locals and foreign countries. An example of a pathos employed by Kennedy in his speech is reflected below.

“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” (Youtube 1).

The strong message reflected in the statement is intended to invoke the feeling of loyalty to the citizens of defending their country from any form of external aggression. An indication that the country is ready to pay any price and burden to protect its survival and liberty has the effect of inducing the citizens to love and defend its leadership.

Moreover, the concept of pathos has been employed in the speech to persuade traditional allies and new free nations to continue engaging America positively to counter the problems they share. This aspect is reflected in the speech by promising the old allies that America pledges to maintain their loyalty as real friends (Hutton 67). Similarly, Kennedy promises new states that have gained freedom from colonialism that America will protect their independence from been replaced by dictatorship. This rhetoric shared by Kennedy has the effect of eliciting a positive feeling to allies and new free states of been appreciated by America in resolving individual and shared problems during his tenure. Accordingly, the approach has been effective in enabling Kennedy to persuade allies and new states to support America in its foreign policy course.

Kairos' Concept

Furthermore, Kairos' concept, which implies setting, has been employed in the delivery of the speech to realize its persuasion purpose. The context and perspective in which a speech is written and delivered affect the way the intended message is communicated to the targeted audiences (Casciac 1). The inaugural speech setting has been arranged strategically to reach the American adversaries to warn them against hurting U.S interests. President Kennedy employs a soft stance but with heavy meaning in sending a warning to adversaries against trying to provoke Americans' bitterness and sufferings by engaging in acts of destruction and terror. The approach sends a compelling set message calling on adversary countries to desist from terror since America is ready to fight back if peaceful negotiations and relations are frustrated. This aspect is demonstrated by the statement below.

“We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed. So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” (Youtube 1).

The setting of the message depicted above demonstrates a strategic communication approach that is not provocative in warning enemies of America to desist from attacking the country but engage in promoting global welfare. The crafting of the message demonstrates that Kennedy is employing a persuasive appeal to adversaries to join them in resolving global issues, but they should not take the request as a sign of weakness. This approach also affects eliciting an image of a reasonable and honest leader to the external enemies, which is an essential element in winning their support. Consequently, the message setting has been effective in realizing the objective of convincing the perceived or real enemies to desist from antagonist activities.

Conclusion

The rhetoric analysis of Kennedy’s speech depicts the impact of employing strategic concepts to send the message effectively. The speech's effectiveness in winning the persuasion of the local, allies, new free states, and adversary nations is due to the strategic crafting employed to depict an honest leader accommodating all irrespective of their background diversity. The speech flow is systematic to ensure each of the targeted audience is convinced effectively to buy the idea of Kennedy despite past differences. Consequently, the rhetoric analysis demonstrates that Kennedy was successful in realizing the persuasion purpose.

Works Cited

Casciac. Rhetorical Appeals. 2019.
https://www.casciac.org/pdfs/Rhetorical_Appeals_Questions_revised.pdf. 2020.

Hutton, Marjorie, T. A Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy "Inaugural Address" of January 29, 1961. 1967. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5213&context=theses. 2020.

Isu.edu. The Rhetorical Triangle: Understanding and Using Logos, Ethos, and Pathos . nd. https://www.lsu.edu/hss/english/files/university_writing_files/item35402.pdf. 2020.

Utoledo. Rhetorical Appeals (or modes of persuasion). nd. https://www.utoledo.edu/al/english/programs/composition/studio/pdf/Rhetorical_Appeals.pdf. 2020.

Youtube. JFK's Famous Inaugural Address Passage. 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxa4HDgfWFs. 2020.