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 "t​his 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.