Michael Phelps Period 8 nd November 2 , 2009 Kennedy Speech Questions Diction 1. Why are so many of the words abstract? abstract? How do words like freedom, poverty, devotion, and sacrifice set the tone of the speech? 2.
Find examples of formal rhetoric tropes such as metaphor and personification.
Because Kennedy does not reference anything in particular he allows his audience to fill in the blanks for themselves, so to speak. In this way the emotions associated with those words are easier for listeners li steners to relate to and the speech appeals to a wider audience. Metaphor:: ...the dark powers of destruction Metaphor destruction unleashed by science, where the powers mean the atom bomb. Personification:: ...nor in the life of this Administration Personification Administration
3.
Does Kennedy use any figures of speech that might be considered clichés? Which metaphors are fresher? Is there a pattern to their use?
Antanaclasis: ...not as a call to bear arms, though arms we Antanaclasis: need, where the first arms means weapons and the second means physical arms which represents represents people. Yes as can be seen in the quote, that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark p owers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.; self-destruction.; this is because using dark to describe evil is very common. However, And, if a beachhead of cooperation cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, is a much fresher example of metaphor as its a very fitting and unique description.
4.
Do any words in the speech seem archaic or old fashioned? If so, what are they? What is their effect?
Syntax 1. Why do you think Kennedy used short paragraphs?
2.
The speech contains two extremes of sentence length, ranging from eight words to six words. A high proportion of the sentences are on the short side. Why?
It would appear that as the speech progresses Kennedys word choice and stylistic efforts become more idiosyncratic with its frequent parallelism and aphorism. Several words could be seen as archaic such as tribulation, asunder, and writ. These words help to establish the speech as a more formal effort.
The short paragraphs helped to mimic the natural way people talk; if Kennedy had written longer, more strutted strutted paragraphs the deliver may have seemed unnatural and stilted. In much the same way a classical composition of music contains crescendos crescendos and calandos so too does Kennedys speech. This stylistic effort helps to emphasize certain paragraphs in contrast to others for greater effect.
3.
How do complex sentences suggest hidden energy?
4.
What does the use of opposites suggest about the purpose of Kennedys speech?
5.
Why is the dominance of declarative sentences, which make statements, appropriate in an inaugural address? Paragraph Paragrap h 24 consists of two rhetorical rhetorical questions. How do they act as a transition to Kennedys call for action?
6.
7.
Find examples of rhetorical schemes such as anaphora and zeugma.
8.
Parallelism: How do they lead themselves to Kennedys purpose?
9.
Hortative and Imperative: What is the difference and why does the speech start with one and end with the other?
The complex sentences in the speech work as sections of in rilievo, where they become isolated and their message and meaning, despite being longer and perhaps not as catchy, resonate deeper. Kennedy wished to reach across the aisle. He wanted to deliver a message which would help reconcile a fragmented fragmented country; his juxtaposition of obvious ideals and faults united his audience. A presidents inaugural address should do simply that, address. It is a statement of the presidents goals and intentions and no place for obvious questions or faltering. Their use helps to establish the theme of rhetorical questions to the audience. Had he simply jumped right in and said his famous quote, ...ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country, the message may have been lost. Anaphora:: All this will not be finished in the first one Anaphora hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days nor in the life li fe of this Administration nor even perhaps in our lifetime li fetime on this planet. Zeugma : a struggle against the common enemies of man: Zeugma: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. Parallelism helps Kennedy to emphasize select passages and sentences in his speech. They also to juxtapose conflicting ideas while leaving the syntax the same; this unique stylistic effort helps the speech stand out to other pieces of spoken text. Hortative:: Marked by exhortation or strong urging. Hortative Imperative:: Absolutely necessary or unavoidable. Imperative The beginning of the speech is marked by its use of imperative sentences. Kennedy tells the world, both enemies and allies, how this administration will run and how the western hemisphere will be treated. However, the second part of his speech, where he is addressing the people of the United States is hortative. Hes a president, not a dictator, so he wishes to encourage his citizens, not dominate them to pursue his goals.