Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy Speech

The aftermath of a recession is a difficult situation to deal with, especially as the leader of the country. In John F. Kennedy’s speech to the American people, he uses repetition, logic, tone, and the appeals to convey his message. When Kennedy begins his speech, he is very specific. The President restates the problem and the situation that they are in as a country and as a people. It is not that his people do not know what is going on with the steel industry and the union. It was purely for reiteration and so there was no mistake of what the situation was. He also uses his credibility and knowledge as President to come across as though he knows exactly what the problem is and exactly what needs to be done to fix it. He repeats the phrase, …show more content…
It is essentially the President of the United States, who was supposed to be promoting unity and peace for the country of whom he governs, picked a side and ultimately promoted discord. Along those same lines, contrary to the beginning of the speech, the President seems to almost distance himself from the situation. Kennedy tells America that “The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commision are examining the significance…”, “The Department of Defense… are reviewing…” and “I am informed that steps are underway…”. It is evident that he knows what he is talking about, but it sounds like he is distancing himself from the problem. A cliche way to put it would be “My people are on it. Do not worry.” At first read through, John F. Kennedy’s remarks about the up in steel prices gives off the impression that he, the President, solved the solution and everything will be okay. Read it a few times more, and it becomes clear that if he was not a well loved President, this speech would not have gone over so well. His effective use of ethos and pathos nullified and masked the unsuccessful parts of his speech. Kennedy’s use of repetition, logic, diction, and the appeals provided him, with in a sense, the ability to get away with

Show More