Kennedy's Inaugural Address Analysis

1. 1. How is the overall purpose of the passage developed?1.

• 1. A. By appealing to his adversary’s sense of fear 

• 1. B. By focusing solely on the speaker's personal experiences and beliefs.

• 1. C. Through the use of vivid imagery and personal anecdotes.

• 1. D. Through informative elements to support his argument. 

3. 3. This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

4. 3. Part A: How is the purpose to convince cooperation from other nations developed in the text?

• The author uses factual incidents to remind his audience that a lack of cooperation can lead to destruction for all humanity.

• The author appeals to the audiences’ emotions encouraging all nations to put up a united front to address the world’s most pressing problems.

• The author uses repetition to unite nations and pressure them to stand up against communism and tyrants.

• The author compares the common enemies to a tiger to illustrate the dangers of division and the importance of unity in the face of common challenges.

2. 2. What is the author’s purpose of the passage as reflected by the use of pathos?

• 1. A. To inform the audience about the challenges facing the world.

• B. To persuade the audience to support his political agenda.

• C. To evoke emotions in the audience and inspire them to take action.

• D. To establish his credibility as a leader.

3.Part B: Which textual evidence supports your choice for Part A?

• A. “And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe…”

• B. “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.”

• C. “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.”

• D. “But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside

4. How does the author use pathos or appeal to emotions in the text?

• A. After proclaiming several different pledges, the author acknowledges the proposed actions are grand and long-term, appealing to hope

• B. The author addresses the enemies appealing to the targeted audience’s sense of fear by warning them that the U.S. will relentlessly fight to secure freedom for Americans.

• C. The author ends with a rhetorical question to reignite the patriotic spirit that inspired our ancestors to fight.

• D. By alluding to a biblical passage, the author urges his audience to liberate the oppressed evoking feelings of compassion.

5. Choose two statements that show how the author uses figurative language in the text.

• A. Comparing a tiger to oppressive power as a metaphor, acts as a reminder that history will not repeat itself. Line 8

• B. The use of repetition addressing specifics conveys a sense of commitment from the speaker and builds trust from the audience. Lines 7-9

• C. Personifying the trumpet who summons people to action sends an authoritative tone to emphasize the urgency and importance. Line 22

• D. The juxtaposition of victory and celebration lifts the mood before shifting to a more serious tone to discuss the nation’s humanitarian challenges. Line 2

6. What is the meaning of the phrase support any friend, based on the context of the passage?

• A. The United States will only support its allies in times of war

• B. The United States is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect freedom.

• 1. C. The United States expects other nations to defend their own freedoms.

• 1.  D. The United States prefers to remain neutral but will intervene to protect liberty.