Meaning behind a Speech - Essay Example

As many Americans are faced with the responsibility of electing a President every four years, one of the highlights of the process would be the Inaugural speech given by the newly sworn in chief executive on their inauguration day. From George Washington, all the way to the present day with Barack Obama, each individual who has resided in the chair of the President has found themselves with the opportunity to creatively craft their message through interviews given to members of the mainstream press, as well as speeches given to an even wider audience.

Going farther than the words written within the pages of their statements, the power of these deliveries, are further enabled by the presence of the passion within the person saying the words. Taking the time to effectively present essential points of whatever case may need to be made, through increases in tone to emphasis crucial aspects, all the way to something as day-to-day, as the choice of clothing that would be worn. One of the most relevant speech examples in recent memory would be the inaugural speech delivered by John F.

Kennedy in January 1961. Being a man who sought to introduce youthful vigor and passion into the role of the nation's chief executive, President Kennedy's speech would convey the inherent desire he would possess for the powerful role of both the American government and its citizens, as well as the power of the rest of the world. Through the strength in his delivery by means of the elevation and passion of his voice, Kennedy would enhance the meaning of his message for the nation. In speaking of the presence of power held by man but also the presence of a higher being, President Kennedy states, "The world is very different now.

For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God," (Kennedy, 1961). With his delivery, the new President would convey to his audience that, within all humans, they do hold the potential to enact great change around them. All the while remembering that, to stay true to history and the revolutionary forefathers of the nation, would be to remember the significance given to the influence of God.

The more an individual may believe and feel passionate about what they are saying, the evidence will show in the choice of words to be spoken and the elevation of their voice, to better illustrate those very same words. For example, "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 to assure the survival and the success of liberty,' (Kennedy, 1961). To assess the greater intended meaning of this, Kennedy would seek to further underline the strength of the American conviction for that which we believe in.

With the delivery of this speech occurring in less than two decades since the end of World War II and just before the start of the Vietnam war, which would begin only a few short years later, the meaning behind the following portion of the President's speech, would be amplified through his eloquent delivery. "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted