MSEA Convention Homework

Why are so many of the words abstract?  How do words like freedom, poverty, devotion, loyalty, and sacrifice set the tone of the speech?

 In a speech using abstract terms can mean you do not have to be specific and you can talk  overall  so , it can be difficult for people to oppose ideas such as loyalty and freedom, or sacrifice and devotion. This can cause a strong tone of speech.

Find examples of formal rhetorical tropes such as metaphor and personification.

 "And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion"

Does Kennedy use any figures of speech that might be considered cliches?Which metaphors are fresher?  Is there a pattern to their use?

One of his cliches is "support any friend and oppose any foe" , his pattern is he puts them all together so they take away greater power from each other.

Do any of the words in the speech seem archaic, or old-fashioned?  If so, what are they?  What is their effect?

Yes "To our sister republics south of our border" and " To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free", there effect is it reminds you of where the country came from, what situation, change and how we have moved forward for whats currently happening.again making a strong notion.

The speech is a succession of twenty-eight short paragraphs.  Twelve paragraphs have only one sentence, eight have two, and six have three sentences.  Why do you think Kennedy used these short paragraphs?

In general paragraphs are to separate ideas, in every paragraph there are certain points he is trying to give attention to, they are used to briefly state the intent and capture the attention of the audience.

The speech contains two extremes of sentence length, ranging from eighty words (¶4) to six words (¶6).  A high proportion of the sentences are on the short side.  Why?

In order to keep the speech to not be seen as being dragged on brief but powerful statements helped keep the speech move efficiently, in the longer sentences they could have consisted of facts and information than a shorter sentence stating a point.

More than twenty sentences are complex sentences -- that is, sentences that contain a subordinate clause.  How do complex sentences suggest hidden energy?  The sentences convey hidden energy because they keep going and that makes the audience wait for a conclusion, meaning before the end of the sentences you have built up anticipation and its meaning.

The speech has many examples of antithesis in parallel grammatical structures:  "To those old allies"; "to those new states"; "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich"; and of course, "[A]sk not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."  What does this use of opposites suggest about the purpose of Kennedy's speech?

Kennedy is trying to show opposition in the way we all think , "To those old allies, "To those new states" how now they are us and apart of us to look past. Living in a free society who cannot help the poor how can we think it can save the few rich we must give help if to receive , in the last example the people complain of what has the government or country done for them well he turns it around and states what we as individuals have done for our country and to show how we can do something change our way of thought.

Why is the dominance of declarative sentences, which make statements, appropriate in an inaugural address?

Dominance of declarative sentences is appropriate in an inaugural speech since Kennedy wants to convey leadership and strength.

Paragraph 24 consists of two rhetorical questions.  how do they act as a transition to Kennedy's call for action?

In the first question he states do not ask what has your country done for you but what you can do for them transitioning from what you though or expected to what should be being asked.

Find examples of rhetorical schemes such as anaphora (the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines) and zeugma (use of two words in a grammatically similar way but producing different, often incongruous, meanings).

An example of anaphora comes towards the middle of the speech , "Let both sides ....and to let the oppressed free"

Consider the speech's many examples of parallelism: "born in this country, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage"; "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe".  How do they lend themselves to Kennedy's purpose?

They show how through whatever extinct you must still fall through, it comes to a conclusion on a demand , do whatever it takes.

Kennedy uses hortative sentences (language that urges or calls to action) in paragraphs 2-21: "let us," "Let both sides."  Later, in paragraphs 26=27, he uses the imperative: "ask" and "ask not."  What is the difference between these two forms, and why did he start with one and end with the other?

Let Us/Both sides, inviting you to come to an conclusion.Ask/Ask not demands, what can you do for your country, its not an invitation.