Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Moon Speech

Rhetorical Analysis – JFK Moon Speech Dreaming of being on the moon, President John F. Kennedy approached the podium on September 12th, 1962 at Rice University in Houston, Texas to inspire his audience of scientists, researchers and professors, while acknowledging he was talking to America as a whole. Kennedy composed a moving speech to inspire America, in the context of “The decision to go to the moon.” This speech utilized rhetorical strategies such as alliteration, metaphors, and rhetorical questions to influence the American public and others listening to instill the same desire that Kennedy had to accomplish the lofty goal of landing on the moon before the decade ran out. John F. Kennedy delivered his speech effectively, but his background …show more content…
These statements strongly correlate to ethos with the credibility they gave. He explored and referenced credible sources from Newton’s assessment of gravity. He noted that just the month before his speech advanced forms of technology including, electric lights, automobiles, telephones, and airplanes were all available. He also mentioned that penicillin, television and nuclear power were available just a week before his speech. He emphasized the recent developments in technology and the short time frame they had all become available as evidence that America was ready to take on this new challenge of landing on the moon. A journey to the moon during this time period was no easy task, but that’s a big part of the reason why he wanted to do it and prove to not only the people of the United States but to everyone around the world that America was capable of this journey. He articulates that, “To be sure, we are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead.” (Kennedy, John). Kennedy thought if the United States was able to successfully land on the moon before the end of the decade, it would not only benefit the government, but it would also open many job opportunities and help stabilize the economy through finance and education. He stressed …show more content…
Kennedy noted in his speech that the United States was at a content spot in time but expressed his desire to expand technology and education. He knew accomplishing a task that required so much knowledge and innovativeness would open up new doors for the United States, some that were previously thought to be impossible. Kennedy makes a metaphor of taking a new path in the right direction to lead us to new information, “we set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people” (Kennedy, John) but none of that could happen if we are not presented with the opportunity to approach new things to accomplish in our path. He brought this up knowing it would boost the confidence of his audience, and inspire them with the opportunities that landing on the moon could bring. He ended his speech by recalling a statement from George Mallory, who climbed Mount Everest. When he asked Mallory why he decided to climb the mountain, he replied with, “because it was there.” When he made this connection, it reminded me of the beginning of his speech, where he talked about making a change, a challenge, and conquering both of them is a part of the human spirit. As such, conquering the challenge of landing on the moon is part of the American spirit. This quote from George Mallory ties all of his