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Learning Objective #1 Reflection


Rhetorical criticism is a qualitative research method; in the view of a communication
scholar, the word that best reflects the definition of rhetoric is called ornamental speech. The
function of rhetoric is to persuade, to empower, and to create understanding. The birthplace of
Western rhetorical thought is ancient Greece. The father of the Communication discipline is
Aristotle. Kenneth Burke is considered to be the foremost rhetorician of the 20th century.
According to Burke, a terministic screen is best defined as the worldview of the rhetor. The
canon of rhetoric that concerns the development of arguments is called Invention. The canon of
rhetoric that deals with the speakers use of language is called style. A rhetor can create
identification with an audience by naming a shared substance and pointing out a common enemy.
A benefit of studying rhetorical criticism is better understanding of self (through counseling or
journaling). You can understand the terministic screen or worldview of the Rhetor much better
(where he or she is coming from). The hourglass model for writing critical essay is composed
of these 4 components: Introduction- The significance/rhetorical process, Description- the
artifact/ method context, Interpretation- Analyzing the artifact, and Evaluation- Answering the
research question.
In my COM 317 Rhetorical criticism course, I wrote an analysis paper on John F.
Kennedys Inaugural speech. John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address was delivered on January 20,
1961, in Washington D.C., at 12:51pm. I analyzed each section of the speech by applying
metaphor criticism as a means to explain the metaphors and their meaning in his speech. During
the 1960s there racial injustices and civil liberties were the core of the problems. In those years,
there werent much people that were culturally sensitive to the matter.

Kennedys two most memorable phrases in this speech are: And so, my fellow
Americans: ask not what your country can do for youask what you can do for your country.
To the other people of the world, he says, My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what
America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. A message
delivered through the use of a metaphor, can provide a reassuring vision to a country, or to an
individual to take the initiative, make a change, without fear of moving forward. The messages
in the speech are positive, motivational, and comforting. The depth of these messages not only
gives hope to those facing challenges, but provides them with the courage to overcome the fears
for a promising and new America.
In todays world, America is not far from falling back to where it was 55 years ago. John
F. Kennedys Inaugural speech really resonates as a blast from the past currently in 2015.
There is currently racial tension/segregation in our political system as well as in current
immigration laws. In 1960s the idea was to end all of these civil and racial injustices and pass
on the torch to a better generation of leaders. Weve heard of police officers beating black folk
to death on a daily basis, and nothing is being done. Refugees from Syria (whom are not all
terrorists) are struggling to leave their country in hopes of a new home to find peace; people all
over Latin America are fleeing their homelands to escape the political corruption. As Americans
living in a free country we distance ourselves away from the reality of their misfortunes and not
lend a helping hand. The idea is not to blame a specific cultural group of theses misfortunes, but
to promote awareness. Its sad to think that we live in a world where history just keeps repeating
itself. Has this country not learned from its past mistakes? People should not have to live in fear
or feel less because of the color of their skin. Black Lives Matter; but so do the lives of everyone
in this country. If I had to do this assignment I would have reorganized my thoughts, but also

compare JFKs metaphors to Malcolm X or the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., or just some
other famous Political figure. I would have also asked my professor for more direction in
writing my metaphor analysis.

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