How does Kennedy use rhetorical strategies to achieve his purpose?
Drag each excerpt from the speech to the correct statement.
Tiles
“Now the trumpet summons us
again—not as a call to bear arms,
though arms we need—not as a
call to battle, though embattled
we are—but a call to bear
the burden of a long twilight struggle,
year in and year out, ‘rejoicing
in hope, patient in tribulation’—a
struggle against the common
enemies of man: tyranny, poverty,
disease, and war itself.”
“Can we forge against
these enemies a grand
and global alliance, North
and South, East and
West, that can assure a
more fruitful life
for all mankind? Will you
join in that historic effort?”
“And so, my fellow Americans:
ask not what your country can
do for you—ask what you can
do for your country.”
Pairs
Kennedy uses figurative language to inspire his
audience to take action. He compares the actions
of citizens to those of the military to convey a
sense duty and to establish honour in the cause
that he urges his audience to join.
arrow Both
Kennedy uses rhetorical questions to engage
the audience to think about its role in
overcoming the evils of the world.
arrow Both
Kennedy uses parallel structure to get his audience
to consider sacrificing for the nation rather than
expecting help from the nation.