John F Kennedy's Ethos In Jfk Inaugural Speech

“Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy). This quote was made famous by John F. Kennedy in his Presidential Inaugural Speech that can be found online at jfklibrary.org. After acknowledging the people that were there, he went on to discuss how he is proud how he is to have such an important job but also how he knows how powerful it can be. Kennedy also expresses how serious he will take being the President of the United States. He then starts to address the groups, leaders, etc. For example, Kennedy says “To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends.” But he doesn’t stop there, Kennedy continues his speech by talking about how he will change the country one step at a time and what needs to be focused on. He then finishes off by saying that everything is up to God and knowing he is there to help will carry America through so much more with …show more content…
Kennedy’s purpose was to ensure America that he was the right pick for the 35th President of the United States. In the end, Kennedy makes a very strong stance on why he should be president and is very successful proving this to the chosen audience through ethos, logos and pathos. Throughout Kennedy’s speech, he makes it very apparent that he should be president using the rhetorical strategy of ethos. For example, at the beginning of the speech Kennedy says, “Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end as well as a beginning--signifying renewal as well as change.” By stating this, he shows that he doesn’t want to