Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Zoey Weir
AP Language
Mrs. Stephanie Tatum
10 December 2019
Rhetorical Analysis Essay
One of Americas most memorable presidents John F. Kennedy, was a large supporter of
American progress. For instance, Kennedy was a memorable advocate of space exploration
projects in an effort to win the Space Race against Americas adversary the Soviet Union. His
actions advanced the United States space program to its world changing status today. In the
speech delivered by John F. Kennedy at the Rice University Stadium, John F. Kennedy conveys
his interest in supporting the new exploration space moment in an effort to modernize America.
John F. Kennedy's speech portrayed the rhetorical devices alliteration, tone, and appeal to the
audience in the forms of patriotism and Christian appeals, for the purpose of convincing his
audience that space exploration would allow the United States to maintain its state of progress.
In the text, John Kennedy attempts to appeal to his audience through the use of patriotism
and biblical references. Considering that Rice University is located in Houston Texas, the people
living there would very likely be Christian. One aspect of Kennedy’s speech appeals to the theme
of progress, by stating the various points of history and how far man has come today. John
Kennedy stated in this timeline that "Christianity began [roughly] less than two years ago"
(Kennedy 1). Through the use of this rhetorical device, the President conveys he considers
Chistianity an important part of history, and therefore gains the acceptance of his audience. The
text states, “No man can fully grasp how far and how fast we have come” (Kennedy 1). The act
of making his audience feel important and referencing his main purpose of progress, Kennedy
connects his audience with his purpose. This persuades his audience to desire participating in the
space project and agree with Kennedy's point. John F. Kennedy also appeals to patriotism by
alluding to America's founding fathers. He stated, "This country was conquered by those who
moved forward—and so will space" (Kennedy 4). This method of appealing to the audience,
reinforces his love for America and support for American progress. Kennedy highlights that like
our founding fathers, America must move forward in the space project to further the progress of
our nation. This rhetorical device of appealing to the audience through patriotism and Christian
appeals, demonstrates Kennedy's knowledge of his audience and further leads them to trust his
point of view: that space exploration will further the development of America.
Another device, alliteration, is used so that John F. Kennedy appeals more dramatic and
engaged in the idea of space exploration. In the speech Kennedy states, "This is a breathtaking
pace, and such a pace cannot help but create new ills as it dispels old, new ignorance, new
problems, new dangers" (Kennedy 3). The alliteration of the word "new" illustrates Kennedy's
use of drama to exemplify the great dangers of the endeavor. Despite this challenge, Kennedy
remains positive through the use of the word "breathtaking", illustrating America’s almost
impossible pace of progress. Although such repetition highlights the negative consequences of
fast progress, this device also highlights Kennedy’s faith the project will be a success despite
these challenges. Alliteration is a key element in John F. Kennedy's speech to illustrate that
America would prosper with the space project despite the challenges presented.
Another aspect of John Kennedy's speech was the specific tone he chose to present.
Although many readers were not alive during the time of his speech, Kennedy’s clear, positive,
and forward-thinking tone proves his purpose that space exploration is great progress for
America. Phrases such as "this is a breathtaking pace" or "there is new knowledge to be gained"
prove Kennedy is a supporter of the space movement personally (Kennedy 3-9). Phrases such as
these, exemplify positive connotation diction that illustrates the President's accepting tone of
space exploration. To the audience, this tone is very influential because it shows Kennedy is
behind the project and believes that space exploration will promote the progress of America.
Acceptance of the space project was illustrated through the speech by John F. Kennedy
concerning space exploration. In his speech, Kennedy used rhetorical appeal to convince his
audience that he supported this notion. Alliteration was another technique included to exemplify
the rapid paced advances by mankind, ensuring that space exploration was another element for
America’s progress. Lastly, he included a specified tone to exemplify his unyielding support of
the space project, which lead audiences to further trust space exploration as a movement of
progress for America. These rhetorical devices were clear in John F. Kennedy's speech to
illustrate his support of the space program for the purpose of supporting American progress.
Such devices truly show John Kennedy’s patriotism and purpose of maintaining progress for the
advancements of the United States.

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Zoey Weir

Mrs. Stephanie Tatum

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

advancements of the United States.

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