rhetorical devices in rfk speech

Rhetorical Analysis of “Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr” Speech Essay Example

Martin Luther King Jr, the leader of the American civil rights movement and organizer of peaceful protests, was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. To many, it seemed as if their world would never be the same. Many thought segregation and racial injustice would continue on for the rest of their lives.  In “Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr”, Robert F. Kennedy uses lots of anaphora and ethos in order to guide those who were upset and distraught about King’s death to react with peace and understanding. 

Kennedy is talented in his speaking and very eloquent, but his use of anaphora is a bit repetitive. He hadn’t intended to give this speech very far in advance. He looked at the stack of papers in his hands only once and at the beginning of his speech. The frequent anaphora was most likely a result of being unprepared. The use of anaphora in every paragraph gets mundane for the audience and can lose attention. Kennedy spoke quickly in a few parts of his speech, perhaps trying to keep the audience engaged. At least he used different topics or ideas as the root of his anaphora, but repeating over and over can’t hold someone’s attention for long. Switching up or combining rhetorical devices is how speakers can hold attention. Kennedy addresses the crowd and says, “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness” and follows in the next paragraph with the idea for “[them] tonight to return home, [and] to say a prayer for the family of Martin Luther King” (1,1). Using the same device many times cannot and will not always make a perfect, powerful speech remembered through history, but grit, power, and passion can and obviously can. It wasn’t the amount of times he used anaphora that stands out, it's the raw drive and power behind it. Kennedy has an empathetic tone that remains empowering. He achieved 

Using ethos isn’t always an easy feat, but Kennedy is very talented and knows how to use it well. The topic choice and delivery in his speech proves that he is well educated, as well as quoting his “favorite poet,” Aeschylus (1). Kennedy says, “He wrote: ‘In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God’"(1). To many, including me, this quote’s meaning isn’t easily understandable. If Kennedy understands the meaning of this, he must be very well educated in literature. Knowledge is power and he understands complex poetry, a fact that demands respect. A person would be more likely to allow themselves to be influenced by a knowledgeable and respected person. In paragraph 5, Kennedy reminds the audience that he has experienced death before and is qualified to tell them how they must deal with it. His brother, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963. That’s five years before King’s assassination and this speech. He knew how to deal with death because of the loss of someone very close to him and that has power. Grief upbrings people’s respect and attention. Kennedy used his past as leverage to convince upset people that he has also been upset and “to replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand with compassion and love” (1). By saying “We will have difficult times; we've had difficult times in the past; we will have difficult times in the future” in paragraph 9, Kennedy uses brief allusion to bring up America’s past not only to make himself seem knowledgeable but to inspire them to hold onto hope and not believe the world is ending. Understanding and remembering history isn’t something many normal people can do. Kennedy knows this and weilds it to his advantage, using ethos to make himself seem smart.

This speech had been scheduled for weeks, but Kennedy wasn’t even supposed to be there. He had been advised to stay home by friends and staff. Their actions were proof that he needed to redirect those ideas, not stay out of it because of fear. He went into Indianapolis without his security team to deliver this speech. He felt so compelled to calm the people and direct them in a way for peace instead of violence that he was willing to risk his own life and safety to deliver this speech. If Kennedy’s brilliant use of ethos and his excessive but effective use of anaphora didn’t convince the audience, maybe his drive and raw willpower would. Kennedy comforted and guided people’s broken hearts. America  might be very different now if he hadn’t.

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Post-note: Just two months later, Robert Kennedy himself was gunned down during a celebration following his victory in the California primary, June 5, 1968.

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Masters Theses

A rhetorical analysis of robert f. kennedy's speaking on the issue of peace in vietnam, as revealed in his kansas address, "conflict in vietnam".

Jeanine I. Rishel , Eastern Illinois University

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

Thesis director.

B. F. McClerren

Many Americans have marshaled their rhetoric to support or to denounce the Vietnam war. One of the most insistent voices heard was that of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

Hypothesis . It was the hypothesis of this study that Robert Francis Kennedy’s speaking on the issue of peace in Vietnam was intelligent and responsible.

Statement of Purpose . The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis by analyzing and evaluating “Conflict in Vietnam,” a speech delivered by Robert Kennedy in Manhattan, Kansas on March 18, 1968. This particular speech was selected for the following reasons: (1) The speech stated a clear position on Kennedy’s stand in Vietnam; (2) Textual authenticity was established by a tape recording; (3) The audience could be identified; and (4) The speech was credited with launching Kennedy’s presidential campaign.

Materials . The primary sources used to gain information about Kennedy, the issues with which he dealt, and the society to which he spoke, were: Robert F. Kennedy: Apostle of Change (New York: Pocket Books, 1968); R. F. K.: His Life and Death (New York: Dell Publishing Co., 1968); Kahin and Lewis’ The U. S. in Vietnam (New York: Dial Press, 1967); Joseph Buttinger’s The Smaller Dragon (New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1958); and Nguyen Van-Thai and Nguyen Van-Mung’s A Short History of Vietnam (Vietnam: Times Publishing Co., 1958).

Criteria and Procedure . The particular criteria used in this study were derived from those used by Tau Kappa Alpha in selecting their recipient for Speaker-of-the-year award. Two major questions were constructed, in order to aid and direct the analysis of the selected speech: (1) Was Robert Kennedy’s speaking intelligent? and (2) Was Robert Kennedy’s speaking responsible?

• What were the assumptions upon which the speech was based?
• What was the speaker’s purpose and what were the main ideas set forth in the speech?
• Were the ideas warranted by the evidence used in the speech?
• Were the ideas well adapted to the audience?
• Did the speaker reveal an awareness of the social consequences of his speech?
• Was the speech free from demagoguery and charlatanism as shown by content, language, and delivery?

Conclusions . There are several conclusions which can be drawn after the analysis of the speech of Robert Kennedy, given at Kansas State University, March 18, 1968.

1. From Robert Kennedy’s assumption that the United States policy in Vietnam was wrong and from his following seven main ideas, one could determine his speaking intelligent. Kennedy’s seven main ideas were:

a. Escalations have brought the U. S. no closer to success than we were before.

b. American control over the rural population in Vietnam has evaporated.

c. Recently, the Saigon government is no better an ally than it was before.

d. Victories that America achieves will only come at the cost of destruction for the nation we once hoped to help.

e. The war in Vietnam is weakening the U. S. position in Asia and around the world.

f. The highest price the U. S. is paying is cost in our inner-most lives and the spirit of our country.

g. The U. S. must negotiate with the National Liberation Front, begin to deescalate the war, and insist that the government of South Vietnam broaden its base, before an end will come to the war.

These ideas all basically implied that unless a change did take place in U. S. involvement, there would be no end to the war in Vietnam. The ideas were appended to general American beliefs about war, peace, survival of self and of country.

Also, Robert Kennedy’s speaking can be determined intelligent by his expressions of good-will and demonstrations of good character.

2. Robert Kennedy’s speaking can be determined responsible from his awareness of military, economic and personal consequences of his speech. Also, there was no evidence of Kennedy revealing characteristics of a demagogue or charlatan.

3. As shown by public opinion polls, it is reasonable to assume that Robert Kennedy’s speaking on the Vietnam issue enhanced his personal and political popularity.

Recommended Citation

Rishel, Jeanine I., "A Rhetorical Analysis of Robert F. Kennedy's Speaking on the Issue of Peace in Vietnam, as Revealed in His Kansas Address, "Conflict in Vietnam"" (1969). Masters Theses . 4156. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/4156

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — John F. Kennedy — Analysis Of Rhetorical Strategies Used By John F. Kennedy In His Inaugural Speech

Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies Used by John F. Kennedy in His Inaugural Speech

• Categories: John F. Kennedy Rhetoric

About this sample

Words: 469 |

Published: Sep 1, 2020

Words: 469 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

In summary, John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural speech aimed to unite both Americans and the global community, using various rhetorical strategies effectively. Repetition was a key strategy to emphasize his call for peace. Phrases like "Let both sides" and "to those" connected with a broader audience, underlining his commitment to international cooperation. Pathos appealed to Americans' loyalty and compassion, emphasizing unity in facing common challenges. This emotional connection aimed to change perspectives toward other nations. Direct address reinforced his point, acknowledging the ambitious task of achieving global peace but encouraging citizens to start the journey together.

Table of contents

Prompt examples for the "jfk steel speech rhetorical analysis" essays, jfk steel speech rhetorical analysis essay.

• Exploring Rhetorical Strategies Analyze the use of rhetorical strategies such as repetition, pathos, and direct address in John F. Kennedy's steel speech and how they contribute to the effectiveness of his message.
• The Power of Repetition Examine the instances of repetition in JFK's speech and discuss their significance in reinforcing his central message of unity and responsibility.
• Pathos and Emotional Appeal Analyze the emotional impact of JFK's speech on the audience and its role in conveying his call for global responsibility.
• The Art of Direct Address Analyze how JFK's direct address to the audience strengthens his call to action and responsibility.
• JFK's Vision for a Unified World Discuss how Kennedy's speech aims to unite not only Americans but all citizens of the world in pursuit of common goals.

Works Cited

• ampbell, R., & Jamieson, K. H. (1990). Deeds Done in Words: Presidential Rhetoric and the Genres of Governance. University of Chicago Press.
• Coleman, D. (2003). The Rhetoric of American Exceptionalism: Critical Essays. McFarland.
• Griffin, C. L. (2009). A First Look at Communication Theory. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Kennedy, J. F. (1961). Inaugural Address. Retrieved from https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/inaugural-address
• Kennedy, J. F. (1963). A Strategy of Peace. Retrieved from https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/a-strategy-of-peace
• Medhurst, M. J. (1989). Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Rhetoric of the Middle Way. Greenwood Press.
• Pfau, M., & Parry-Giles, S. J. (2010). Rhetoric and Communication Perspectives on Domestic Terrorism: Counterterrorism Policy and Presidential Leadership. Lexington Books.
• Simons, H. W. (2002). Persuasion in Society. SAGE Publications.
• Smith, C. (1991). Rhetoric and Human Consciousness: A History. Allyn & Bacon.
• Zarefsky, D. (2009). Public Speaking: Strategies for Success. Pearson.

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