Diction and Syntax of Jfk’s Inaugural Address

A very important element to the effectiveness of President Kennedy’s speech was the arrangement of words. He usually flips his sentences around which makes his message have a more powerful appeal, for the most powerful words at the beginning of sentences and placed at the end and as such as factored significantly. One of the most well known examples is when Kennedy says, “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” The final message “ask what you can do for your country was strategically placed near the end of the sentence to amplify its ethical as well as emotional appeal. Most people would have worded such as sentence as “Ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you”. It is quite noticeable how much more appealing the President Kennedy’s placement of words is compared to would be referred to as common. This effect goes for nearly the entire speech, and amplifies his collective message to the people.

John F. Kennedy’s speech is that is remembered for its inspiration and ethical appeal. His speech captivated people everywhere to set out to move towards a positive future. He achieved this by using elegant wording, and creative sentence modifications to further amplify the powerful ethical and emotional messages he declared to the nation. President Kennedy used words and word placement that appealed to a broad audience, pulled on the heartstrings of Americans, acted as a beacon for patriotism, and still resonates today in the average citizen. I conclusion, when one reads the John F. Kennedy speech, it is easy to see how word choice and word placement can make or break a speech.