StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy - Speech or Presentation Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper “Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy” evaluates one of the shortest presidential inaugural addresses ever given, which was also meant to persuade the audience to agree with the Kennedy administration’s views. The speech is considered to be one of the best given by Kennedy…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.8% of users find it useful
Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy"

Download file to see previous pages

Written by Kennedy himself, along with his speechwriter Ted Sorenson, the speech is considered to be one of the best given by Kennedy as well as one of the best given by any United States President. The primary audience of the speech was, indeed, the United States public, however, the speech also addressed the citizens and governments of the world at large, touching on universal themes of peace and justice. The speech opens with a very effective hook, by talking about the victory of his party, Kennedy draws the audience in by proclaiming the event to be a beginning of change as well as the start of renewing the rich traditions of United States.

The memorable speech opening clearly established the basis for the main body of the speech. The speech was focused – clearly and effectively touching on themes of a need for a new beginning in the face of the then present stale relations between the two Cold War opponents (the United States and the Soviet Union). Recalling images of the glorious past of the United States, and the ideals on which it was found, the speech employed metaphors, especially religious ones, as well as symbolism, and that too having religious undertones.

Kennedy talked about the metaphorical torch that had been passed to his generation when he spoke of his presidency. It was, altogether, very easy to follow the speech as it flowed, and was organized, quite logically, with Kennedy ensuring that the conclusion of his speech was concise, memorable and a call to action. The now famous words “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy) were part of his inaugural address. Kennedy relied on words alone to deliver his message.

No visual aids were used in the speech, the only mental imagery was evoked in a bid to get the public excited and hopeful about the future in general, and the Kennedy administration in particular. Kennedy sounded a bit nervous, although his enthusiasm shows through in the choice of his words as well as his hopeful tone for the change he sought to bring about with regard to the United States itself and its relationship with the outside world. Kennedy accomplished this by maximizing the role of the audience in the change to come by using inclusive language as well as by addressing the audience directly (i.e. using you and we focused language).

The audience cheered during the speech and clapped, however, other than that there was no audience interaction. The tone of the speech was somber and serious, there was no levity or humor worked into the speech. Moreover, Kennedy stayed on the podium during the whole speech and did not move around or use the stage to augment his words. Overall, Kennedy seemed very confident, although a little bit nervous. His posture showed his poise and assurance, though he did not use gestures to supplement or stress his words.

Though Kennedy was reading the speech as he had not memorized it, yet he tried to keep as much eye contact as possible with the audience. Since he did not have any distracting mannerisms, his lack of constant eye contact did not take away from the speech. 

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy Speech or Presentation”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/politics/1413257-speech-analysis
(Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy Speech or Presentation)
https://studentshare.org/politics/1413257-speech-analysis.
“Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy Speech or Presentation”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/politics/1413257-speech-analysis.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy

The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

This paper will explore the speech, its strong points and the speech skills of President kennedy.... The address depicted kennedy's energy, and the vigor that had made him win the long campaign struggle.... This paper analyzes the speech of President kennedy's activity using words, which exemplified his main goals of uniting the two opposite forces.... President kennedy's speech incorporated declarative sentences that showed his strength, for example, by making the declaration of welcoming new states to freedom and all other people of the world....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Noteworthy Inaugurals

Truman became to deliver his inaugural address by television airwaves.... In 1961, john f.... Every president has delivered an inaugural address, and here, we have recounted some of the more noteworthy.... kennedy affirmed, "And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.... The essay "Noteworthy Inaugurals" states that the custom of delivering an address on Inauguration Day started with George Washington's Inauguration, April 30, 1789....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Inaugural addresses by U. S. Presidents

In his inaugural address, john f.... In his inaugural address, john f.... Excerpt from john f.... Bush's First inaugural address.... Excerpts from Jimmy Carter's inaugural address.... Kennedy's inaugural address.... Excerpt from Ronald Reagan's Second inaugural address.... kennedy exhorted the adversary nations of America to turn to the ways of peace by focusing on disarmament....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

John F. Kennedy

john f.... john f.... john f.... kennedy, the 35th and the youngest elected US president, left an important mark in the history of the nation.... Patrick Joseph kennedy and John E.... Fitzgerald prominently successful men in Boston and were grandfathers of John kennedy.... Patrick Joseph kennedy was an impressively successful banker and a leading figure in Boston's liquor trade....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Analysing Inaugural Address of JFK

This journal seeks to analyse the Analysis of JFKS Inaugural Address 50 years after it happened, john f.... kennedy (JKF) inaugural speech is still very popular.... The speech came at a time when… kennedy's message of hope fell in place because it was timely, well researched, and fulfilled the expectations of many Americans.... kennedy (JKF) inaugural speech is still very popular.... kennedy's message of hope fell in place because it was timely, well researched, and fulfilled the expectations of many Americans....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

17th Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

In his address,… john f.... Constitution, john f.... Kennedys Inaugural Address In his inaugural address to the United s, john f.... john f.... During his campaigns, john f.... john f.... john f.... However, john f.... Constitution, john f.... kennedy made various campaign promises based on the 17th Amendment of the U....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

JFK'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS

This inauguration ceremony was marked by the john f.... Fortunately, Kennedy won the He was the youngest man who happened to be the President of America (This is Day in History - john f.... Kennedy inaugurated) JFKS inaugural address was mainly based on the peace, world change, freedom, rights of the people and relations with the neighbor states, including the world as a whole.... He didn't favor the dangerous discoveries are not important and in interest of the world peace by addressing that, “to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin a new that quest for peace” (Kennedy inaugural address, 1961)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis of the Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

This is "A Rhetorical Analysis of the Inaugural Address of john f.... hellip; A rhetorical analysis of the inaugural address of john f.... john f.... kennedy" essay.... kennedy shows that his address was not any different in this fundamental.... After his call for urgency, kennedy shifted attention back to the country and outlined how the United States will lead the world in attaining local and international goals....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us