Is Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country an example of antithesis?

Speakers often forget the power of using repetition in speeches because of the negative stereotypes we have with being repetitive. Repetition means hounding, nagging, being redundant and boring. Yet we forget that some of the world's best speeches have utilized repetitive rhetorical devices to reflect
the natural rhythm of oral communication. When done stylistically, repetition helps the audience remember and recognize the importance of your message.

Repetition of letters, syllables, or sounds

Alliteration—repeat similar sounds, usually initial consonants, in two or more neighboring words or syllables.

  • Example: Jesse Jackson, "Down with dope, up with hope!"
  • Example: Why not waste a wild weekend at Westmore Water Park?
    Assonance—repeat similar vowels, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.
  • Example: The sergeant asked him to bomb the lawn with hotpots.
    Consonance—repeat consonants in words stressed in the same place (but whose vowels differ), or, repeat final consonants in nearby words (the following are also examples of alliteration)
  • Example: Deep Dark Dungeon
  • Example: Fully Functional

Repetition of words

Anaphora—repeat a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

  • Example: Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream
    “I have a dream that my four little children will [...] I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia [...] I have a dream today!"

Repetition of clauses and phrases

Epistrophe—repetition at the end of a line, phrase or clause of the word or words that occurred at the beginning of the same line, phrase or clause.

  • Example: Emerson, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us."

Repetition of ideas

Antithesis—set off two ideas in balanced (parallel) opposition.

  •  Example: Neil Armstrong, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
  • Example: John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
    Finally, don’t forget to practice your speech or presentation out loud; in most cases you will feel if a repetition helps or harms your work. If you are still unsure, book an appointment at the CWS to have a tutor listen to you!

Related

  • Rhetorical Devices In Kennedy's Speech

    In 1962 President John F. Kennedy held a press conference in which he informed the audience on his stance for the rising steel prices. Kennedy not only wanted to inform the audience, he wanted to get them on his side of the argument. He wanted to show the audience that the rising steel prices were going to have a negative impact on the nation. To do this Kennedy used some of the rhetoric strategies and tools. He used periodic sentences, anaphora, and diction.

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • John F. Kennedy's Legacy

    “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” (President John F. Kennedy). John Fitzgerald Kennedy is a man who still burns bright in the memory of millions of Americans to this day. When one mentions the name John Kennedy, it resurrects numerous memories and emotions in the minds of nearly everyone. Even those born well after November 22, 1963 have great respect and admiration for our 35th president of the United States. One could ask almost every American citizen if they have heard of the name JFK and the majority would undoubtedly say yes.

    • 1583 Words
    • 7 Pages

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of President Bush 9/11 Speech

    Bush’s relationship with the American citizens is comforting and soothing. Bush’s 9/11 Address was meant to influence everybody including the terrorist. They assume that America is going to stick together and get through this and they’re holding president Bush accountable because he promised this. After the message, the American people assume that the terrorist will be taken down.

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • Jfk Inaugural Address Analysis

    For my speaker and speech analysis assignment, I chose JFK’s inaugural address speech. I chose this speech because I think he has an interesting story and with this speech, he inspired a great amount of optimism and patriotism in America. It is often considered one of our country’s most important speeches. In my analysis, I will be focusing on JFKs background, and many aspects of his speech including his delivery, organizational, persuasive and rhetorical techniques.

    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • Julius Caesar Arrogance

    All great leaders need to have the confidence and determination to speak their minds and effectively guide a group. However, many confident leaders allow their confidence and determination to become arrogance and an inability to compromise. This kind of mental inflexibility can ruin an otherwise great leader, because communication, compromise, and team work are essential to a good leadership. President Gerald Ford once said, “Compromise is the oil that makes governments go,” and mental inflexibility, or stubbornness, prevent the possibility of compromise. One of the best examples of the effects of an inflexible mind set is Julius Caesar.

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages

  • Juxtaposition In Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    Final Essay Throughout his inaugural address, John Fitzgerald Kennedy uses juxtaposition, anaphora, and emotional appeals (pathos) to rally the american public against nations of the world with different ideologies, namely Communism. With a leader as charismatic as Kennedy, it is inevitable that a speech of his would utilize classic rhetorical devices to further his purpose as he sets the stage for his presidency. Kennedy’s use of antithesis through juxtaposition creates the illusion that you are either apart of his ideas or against them.

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy

    On a cold day in 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to the citizens and peoples of both America and the world. After the end of a close and competitive election, he used this speech not to celebrate his victory as president, but to unite the audience. He addresses the audience with a statement that would be remembered for years to come, as its call to duty is a powerful one. A strong appeal to ethics─ not only his ethics but our ethics as a country united through shared values─ and powerfully emotional and logical arguments are used to convince the audience to take a stand and make a difference. Additionally, he appeals to the rest of the world by referring to different areas and countries of the globe while also connecting all human beings together as one population.

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages

  • Rhetorical Analysis Jfk Inaugural Address

    JFK Rhetorical Analysis Essay Although John F. Kennedy begins his infamous inaugural speech by explaining his welcoming as president as being a celebration of freedom, he transforms it into a call for global unity, reaching not only the citizens of the United States, but of the world, which inspired American Citizens. By contemplating the problems restricting global unity, Kennedy addresses solutions to fix them, and how his proposed plan would not be completed within his term, but something to be worked for until it is achieved. During the time period in which Kennedy delivered his speech the country was in the midst of the Cold War with Russia. The American people needed a leader, and he was there to deliver.

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • Roosevelt Rhetorical Analysis

    He claimed, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us, instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.” Previously, he supported his claim using causal inference that explained the benefits of freedom and peace over war and oppression. He said, “United, there is little we cannot do, in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do. For we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds, and split asunder.”

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • JFK Inaugural Speech

    John F. Kennedy delivers one of the most passionate and cogent speeches ever given in American history on January 20, 1961. With the trepidation of nuclear war and communism, leaving Americans restless, JFK conveys a calming wave as he delivers his Inaugural speech as the 35th president of the US. Although; JFK’s speech was one of the shortest and simple, it manages to win countless hearts of various people around the world due to an exceptional use of rhetorical and persuasive strategies. Using the position of a president, Kennedy reaches his high-strung audience and illustrates that he will ensure the welfare of the nation as an American citizen like themselves. JFK distinctly uses his platform to emphasize that he will not shrink away from his responsibilities, In Fact; he will welcome it.

    • 515 Words
    • 3 Pages

  • John F Kennedy Impact

    The Lasting Impact of JFK Unforgettable President John F. Kennedy notably stated, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is one of the most appreciated and glorious figures in American history. Born into wealth and a very developed family, Kennedy was nurtured into the politics of life. Through his books, political outlook, and achievements, John F. Kennedy has had a lasting impact on American society and politics. One of Kennedy’s greatest books, Profiles in Courage was published January 1, 1956.

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages

  • Jfk Assassination Kennedy Analysis

    Eventually, in spite of the fact that his discourse did not end the mobs without any assistance, it did add to a bigger pattern towards compromise in the middle of whites and blacks, prompting where society stands

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • Anaphora In Jfk Inaugural Address

    “For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” This quote from the 35th president of the United States set a precedent of greatness for our country. The man who set such a precedent was John F. Kennedy. A very persuasive and well-read man, when he gave his inaugural address, our nation and the world knew we were in good hands. JFK not only was well-read, he gave moving speeches.

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

  • Why Did Kennedy Decide To Go To The Moon

    On May 25, 1961 President John F. Kennedy announced to the world an ambitious space program that the United States would accomplish within the decade. The program called for multiple weather satellites, a rover nuclear rocket, and of course the mission to put astronauts on the moon. Kennedy proclaimed to a crowd of over 35,000 people and millions more at home, “We choose to go to the Moon! ... We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win (Kennedy 5).” Kennedy understood that the Soviets had proven to have more advanced technology and were ahead in the space race.

    • 1037 Words
    • 5 Pages

  • John F Kennedy Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    On April 11, 1962 John F. Kennedy held a news conference in which he addresses the most recent steel prices. He then calls for stable prices and wages as the country rebuilds as it comes out of a recession. Kennedy uses rhetorical devices to persuade corporate steel companies to reduce prices. Kennedy opens his address and implies that steel corporations have acted out in an unjustifiable and irresponsible manner in regards to the nation's public interest.

    • 193 Words
    • 1 Pages

What does Kennedy mean by Ask not what your country can do for you

During his inaugural speech on Jan. 20, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy uttered the challenge, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Its simple meaning was to challenge society to contribute to improve the public good.

How does JFK use antithesis in his inaugural address?

JFK Rhetorical Devices Antithesis: Ex "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor it cannot save the few who are rich" (para 9). This is effective because it is saying that no matter who you are or how much money you have, if a free society can't help then no one will be happy.

How does JFK use antithesis in his speech?

“Let both sides…” “To those old allies… To those new states... To those people…” Antithesis: contrast of ideas or words in a parallel structure “Ask not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Do not ask what your country can give to you ask what you can give to you country this famous quote mentioned in the program is given by?

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.