What Are The Rhetorical Devices Used In Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Two American presidents traveled to a place where the people shared their political beliefs, however that city was surrounded by people with a different mindset. When Kennedy and Reagan went to speak in West Berlin, they shared their opinions of Democracy by using some basic rhetoric devices. Both presidents wanted to see the Berlin Wall taken down and greatly valued the ideas of freedom and human rights. Flattery can go a long way especially if those getting flattered already idolize you. Reagan and Kennedy both heavily praise the city throughout their speech. While Reagan was explaining the purpose of his visit he stated, “But I must confess, we’re drawn here by other things as well; by the feeling of history in this city...by the beauty of the Grunewald and the Tiergarten; most of all, by you courage and determination..” (par. 3). Reagan related to the people of West Berlin by expressing his admiration for a well-beloved forest and park located in their city and this technique evokes recollection of Kennedy’s style of giving speeches. Although Kennedy did not …show more content…
The two presidents spoke German in order to create this effect and they had such common purposes that Reagan even alluded to Kennedy’s speech in his own when he stated “President John F. Kennedy visited Berlin, and speaking to the people of this city…” (par. 2). Not only does this show that the speeches share a common purpose, it also suggests that Reagan’s speech wa very possibly inspired by Kennedy’s. However, the plain folks appeal comes in when he later on states “Es gibt nur ein Berlin” (par. 5) and this technique is comparable to Kennedy’s declaration, “Ich bin ein Berliner” (par. 2). This shared use of rhetoric allowed them to relate to their audience so they would accept the government officials as one of their own; people that could be