Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

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During the year of 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected as the youngest president of the United States, at the age of 43 years old. His election was perceived as a sign of hope and he was the future of America. When he was elected, his opening speech was the Inaugural Address, a speech that would a stepping stone to his success as a leader. In John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, the 35th president of the United States of America builds trust with US citizens by appealing to their emotions, using hortative sentences, and conveying a promising tone.
Through the use of pathos in the Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy builds trust with the citizens. Kennedy draws the citizens emotions when he claims, “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and
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John F. Kennedy proclaims,“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it.” By declaring his responsibility and welcoming the dangers of the conflicts of freedom, Kennedy creates a promising tone that gives hope to the citizens. It acknowledges the role of being president and his he is up for the task of a leader. Kennedy closes the Inaugural address with, “With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.” When Kennedy claims that a good conscience will lead them to go forth to the land they love, it builds trust and lets the citizens know that their country is being led into a better