Intention

John F. Kennedy’s main intention in his Moon Speech is to persuade the audience of the importance of space exploration and of being the first nation to land a man on the Moon. First, he uses antithesis to accentuate the contrast between the US and the Soviet Union. For example, when Kennedy contrasts the “sea of peace” (l. 99) with the “theater of war” (l. 99), he tries to persuade the audience of the importance of the US being a leader in the race for space. Moreover, Kennedy uses pathos to appeal to the audience’s fear that the Soviets might have bad intentions when it comes to the race for space.

Kennedy also uses rhetorical questions to appeal to the audience’s pride: “But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, years ago, fly the Atlant...