南华大学船山学院英语 081 班 石璇 20089210113This a Inaugural Address, made by the 35th president of United States John F.Kennedy on January 20,1961.The object of a political speech is to explain, convince and persuade the people that what he is saying and planning to do best represents their interests so they should support him, and I think in this speech rhetoric mainly contribute to its success. It is highly rhetorical, such as many figures of speech, choice and use of words, effective types of sentence.In this address, many figures of speech are employed. The first one is antithesis,which highlights the key points.For example, “United,there is little we cannot do in a host of co-operative ventures.Divide,there is little we can do,for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder“,it emphasizes the presidents appealing to uniting together.Besides,this sentense “ask not what your country can do for you,ask what you can do for your country.“is often quoted because it represents the enterprising spirit of the Americans.Second, metaphor.Metaphor makes the speech easier understanded and acceptable in a pleased way.For example,“ those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside“,in which riding the back of the tiger comparing to seeking the aid of socialist countries;“to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak“,in which the power of UN to protect compared to a shield.Third, parallelism.For example,“ we shall pay any price, bear any burden,meet any hardship,support any friend,oppse any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty“, “Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce,and paragraphs 6,7,8,10,11 begin with the same type of phrases “To those old allies.To those new states.to those peoples.to our sister republics.to that world assembly.to those nations.“ and paragraph 16 to18 begin with“let both sides“,all of which clearly show the presidents stand and the beautiful hope everyone holds so that he can get the support of his people.Fourth,synecdoche.For example,in this sentense “Yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankinds final war“,the hand substitute the power human hands can do.Fifth,repetition.The word “pledge“is emphasized in every paragraph from 5 to 11,pledging according pledge to different groups,“free“ and “good“ are repeated to highlight humans common desire, and “beyond doubt“ is repeated to show the American wouldnt let anything terrible made by the enemy countries happen.The speech is very persuasive due to these important repetition.Sixth,alliteration,such as “friend and foe alike“,“pay any price,bear any burden“, “break the bonds of mass misery“makes the speech more catchy and rhymed.In addition ,there are many examples to show that Kennedy is very particular and careful in his choice of and use of words.For instance,in the sentence “to our sister republics south of our border ,we offer a special pledge,“the word“sister“is particularly chosen to connote equality and mutual good relations in his attempt to allay the traditional fears these countries have of their powerful big brother in the north.And in the sentence“Finally,to those nations who would make themselves our adversary,we offer not a pledge but a request“,the phrase“would make themselves our adversary“is again cleverly chosen to throw the blame for confrontation and world tension on the other party.It suggests that the United States has done nothing to create enemies.It is the other side that is challenging the U.S.,and the latter is forced to take the challenge although it really wants peace.Furthermore,the variant types of sentence are employed.It is obviously that many of the sentences are very long,even a paragraph is consisted of a long sentence,but the longer the sentence is,the more information and more power the sentence contains.They also add salutation and decency.Besides,complex-compound sentences such as attributive clause,adverbial clause,inverted sentence are mostly used.In addition,imperative sentences not only arouse peoples passion,but also of great infectivity.Last,the biblical style sentence,such as“Let the word go forth from this time and place,to friend and foe alike,that the torch .“,“with a good conscience our only sure reward,with history.“make the speech more solemn and powerful.Rhetoric really does god job.