What did John F Kennedy say in his inaugural speech?

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It was also in his inaugural address that John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This use of chiasmus can be seen even as a thesis statement of his speech – a call to action for the public to do what is right for the greater good.



Correspondingly, what did John F Kennedy say in his speech?

On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address in which he announced that "we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty."

Furthermore, what rhetorical devices does JFK use in his inaugural speech? In this address he utilizes three main rhetorical strategies: parallelism, repetition, and pathos. By using these three strategies, Kennedy was able to construct a persuasive essay that convinces the majority of America to respect him as the new president.

Likewise, people ask, what was JFK purpose in his inaugural speech?

Kennedy was successful in his inaugural address speech. Using rhetorical strategies he challenged the nations to come together through peace, offering friendship and companionship. John F. Kennedy's address is mainly about peace across the nations.

Who wrote John F Kennedy's inaugural speech?

During January 1953, the 24-year-old Sorensen became the new Senator John F. Kennedy's chief legislative aide. He wrote many of Kennedy's articles and speeches.

32 Related Question Answers Found

What were JFK's last words?

Nellie Connally, the First Lady of Texas, turned around to the President, who was sitting behind her, and commented, "Mr. President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love you", which President Kennedy acknowledged by saying, "No, you certainly can't." Those were Kennedy's last words.

What is the main idea of JFK's speech?

The main themes were freedom, peace, God's role in our lives and service to others or personal accountability. Given during the Cold War, JFK's speech stressed how important strong foreign policy was while simultaneously highlighting peace and global alliance.

What you can do for your country quote?

It was also in his inaugural address that John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This use of chiasmus can be seen even as a thesis statement of his speech – a call to action for the public to do what is right for the greater good.

What is a inaugural address?

Public office
The "inaugural address" is a speech given during this ceremony which informs the people of their intentions as a leader.

Who first said Ask not what your country?


Revealed: How JFK stole his 'ask not what your country can do' speech from his old headmaster. It became one of the most famous political speeches in history. But according to a new book, John F Kennedy stole what was to become the best-known quote of his 1961 inaugural address – from his old headmaster.

What four things does Kennedy call the common enemies of man?

common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

How do you write an inaugural speech?

  1. Give an Inaugural Address. Pretend that you have been elected President of the United States.
  2. Brainstorm! An inauguration speech is your chance to tell the country what you plan to do during the.
  3. Narrow your scope.
  4. Write the rest of your opening paragraph.
  5. Write the body of your speech.
  6. Write the conclusion.

What was happening in 1961?

January. United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba (Cuba–United States relations are restored in 2015). At the National Reactor Testing Station near Idaho Falls, atomic reactor SL-1 explodes, killing 3 military technicians.

Who was the audience of the inaugural address?

The historical backdrop to this speech is definitely the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union. Also, domestically, Kennedy's election was not a landslide; the country was deeply divided in this election. Audience The main audience is the American people, both those who supported Kennedy, and those who didn't.

Why Did JFK say ask not what your country can do for you?


Kennedy's inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for youask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.

What did John F Kennedy promise in his campaign?

During the campaign, Kennedy charged that under Eisenhower and the Republicans the nation had fallen behind the Soviet Union in the Cold War, both militarily and economically, and that as president he would "get America moving again." During Kennedy's campaign he relied on his youth and promised to bring about change.

What was the occasion of the inaugural address?

Occasion. The larger occasion to his speech was the fear of nuclear destruction and the Cold War. become president. They had opposite values to the US and were bitter enemies with America.

What did JFK do?

Kennedy's administration included high tensions with communist states in the Cold War. He increased the number of American military advisers in South Vietnam. In April 1961, he authorized an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

What is an example of anaphora?


Common Anaphora Examples
“Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.” “My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration.”

What is a anaphora sentence?

Anaphora is a figure of speech in which words repeat at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. For example, Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech contains anaphora: "So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

How do rhetorical devices enhance a speech?

Simply put, a rhetorical device is a speaking technique that is used to persuade an audience to consider a subject from the speaker's point of view. When used properly, rhetorical devices can have both logical and emotional appeal, and thus be very effective.