Analysis
Here are the elements which will help you with the analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address.
The rhetorical situation is that the speech is delivered by John F. Kennedy, a member of the Democratic Party and the 35th president. The speech is delivered during Kennedy’s inauguration. Although the main audience is the citizens of the US, Kennedy sometimes addresses the rest of the world as well.
When it comes to the composition of the speech, Kennedy structures his address around two main issues. In the first part of the speech, he provides a series of pledges for different allies around the world. In the second part of the speech, Kennedy addresses America’s adversaries and suggests negotiating and working together.
Kennedy’s style of language is formal and reflects the serious context of the speech. At times, Kennedy introduces figurative language which helps him deliver his ideas to the audience.
Kennedy uses plenty of rhetorical devices like antithesis, repetition, and parallelism. The rhetorical devices help Kennedy structure his speech in such a way that it becomes easier to follow by the audience. Some rhetorical devices highlight the importance of change and create an emotional response in the audience.
Kennedy employs all three forms of appeal in his speech. By using logos, ethos, and pathos, Kennedy makes sure that his speech is well-balanced, which could mean he might achieve his intention more easily.
You can read a full analysis of the speech in the following pages.