Question

Read the following excerpt from President John F. Kennedy's "We Choose to Go to the Moon" speech. Then, answer the question that follows.

If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.

Which rhetorical appeal is Kennedy using to persuade the audience to change their perspective on space exploration?

Ethos: he is using expert testimony to provide credibility to his argument
Logos: he is using facts to convince them of the need to fund a space program
Pathos: he is using emotion to urge the audience of the need to explore space
None: he is simply using his opinion

Answer 1

The rhetorical appeal that Kennedy is using to persuade the audience to change their perspective on space exploration is logos, as he is using facts to convince them of the need to fund a space program.

He argues that the exploration of space will go ahead, with or without the United States, and that no nation can expect to be a leader if it falls behind in the race for space. This logical argument is intended to convince the audience that the United States needs to invest in space exploration in order to maintain its position as a world leader.