The art of wordswhat jfk can teach us about speech writing by guest author. Former clinton scribe mark katz remembers his eloquence. Kennedys administration, a writer and counselor who did much to shape the presidents narrative, image and. Ted sorensen, who died on october 31 aged 82, was the strategist and political speech writer behind john f kennedy in his successful campaign for the american presidency in. He had delegated his aide ted sorensen to read all the previous presidential inaugurals, with the additional brief of trying to crack the. Now, heres the thing about ted sorensen, whom kennedy called his intellectual blood. Kennedys inaugural address plot summary course hero. The net news special reporting project jfk revisited talks with nebraska historians and political scientists about the kennedy legacy, especially how we see and perceive the presidency. As sorenson was also s a major adviser of robert f. On january 20, 1961, john fitzgerald kennedy delivered one of americas few standout inaugural addresses and one of the finest speeches in american history. Sorensen served on the advisory board of the national security network. Kennedy prepare his address, aide ted sorensen read all the past such speeches.
This was the 44th inauguration and marked the commencement of john f. The draft allows us to see, in a new way, the evolution of the speech. Jfks inaugural address taken from the kennedy presidential library on january 20, 1961 a clerk of the u. Inaugural address ask not what your country can do for you track info. Sorensen was deeply involved in the creation of the speech, and others made important contributions as well. Text version below transcribed directly from audio vice president johnson, mr. Kennedy served at the height of the cold war, and the majority of his work as president concerned relations with the soviet union and cuba. This is the speech he delivered announcing the dawn of a new era as young americans born in the 20th century first assumed leadership of the nation. Overall, ted sorensens kennedy offers a compelling journey for readers interested in and already somewhat familiar with john f.
He also provided some assistance with president obamas 2009 inaugural address. Kennedy is remembered for more than its tragic end 50 years ago. Ted sorensen, noted in his memoirs, time and again kennedy. Jfks selection of advisors reflected the strengths. Sorensen developed leftwing political views and was member of the americans for democratic action. Like all presidential speeches in the modern era, this speech was not solely the work of the president, but of a team of contributors, most especially ted sorenson. It wasnt even his best, but kennedys inaugural address was still worldchanging says ted sorenson, jfks primary speechwriter. Kennedy had sorensen study president abraham lincoln s gettysburg address as well as other inaugural speeches. Nebraska native ted sorensens role in kennedy white house.
President kennedys inaugural speech addressed not only the american people, but. Jfks inaugural address was worldchanging it wasnt even his best, but kennedys inaugural speech was wise and courageous, writes the. Kennedy presidential library and museum analyzing the r hetoric of jfks inaugural address topic. Ask not what your country can do for you jfk library. John f kennedy served in office from january 1961 to november 1963. Ted sorensen will be paying special attention to barack obamas inaugural address on tuesday. Jun 19, 20 the story behind jfks ask not inauguration speech. Kennedys longtime adviser ted sorensen died this weekend at the age of 82. Ted sorensen, jfks unitarian speechwriter in kennedys inaugural address, he concludes saying, with history the final judge of our deeds. Anaphora ethos pathos logos comparison antithesis metaphors and hyperboles kennedy uses. The art of wordswhat jfk can teach us about speech.
He then went on to obtain a law degree from nebraskas college of law. A speech writer for the president sorensen accompanied jfk on his. Kennedys speech in 1961 was one of the shortest but most powerful addresses made by a president. John fitzgerald kennedy may 29, 1917 november 22, 1963, often referred to by his initials jfk and jack, was an american politician who served as the 35th president of the united states from january 1961 until his assassination in november 1963. Kennedys administration, sorensen, 80, was jfks legal. Jfk s inaugural address was worldchanging it wasnt even his best, but kennedys inaugural speech was wise and courageous, writes the presidents primary speechwriter. A highlight of the new frontier was the june 26, 1963, speech in west berlin in which kennedy memorably declared, ich bin ein berliner. Kennedy of massachusetts hired a twentyfouryearold from nebraska as his number two legislative assistanton a trial basis. Jfk s inaugural address was worldchanging it wasnt even his best, but kennedys inaugural speech was wise and courageous, writes. Oct 31, 2010 ted sorensen, wordsmith aide to john f. Kennedy and the speech that changed america, published by henry holt in 2004 and now available in a penguin paperback. Oct 31, 2010 ted sorenson, kennedy adviser and speechwriter, dead at 82 theodore sorensen, a speechwriter and close adviser to president john f.
Ted sorensen was born in lincoln, nebraska, and after law school moved to washington, d. Jan 20, 2011 ted sorensen, kennedys counselor and speechwriter, died last fall. He left the white house soon after jfks death, and in 1966 joined a new york city law firm, where, as a prominent international lawyer, he advised governments, multinational organizations, and major. Though not the shortest of inaugural addresses, kennedys was shorter than most at 1,355 words in length and, like lincolns famous speech, was comprised of short phrases and words. Kennedy, as well as one of his closest advisers, spoke at hunter college on presidential politics. Kennedy and a widely published author on the presidency and. Things with ted sorensen are more complicated than they appear. In some ways, if youre hoping to pick up a thing or two by reading about other speechwriters, its probably a mistake to start with ted sorensens biography of kennedy sorensen. In late may, kennedy tasked ted sorensen with writing a speech that would do two things. Kenny recalled the splendor of the occasion and the forceful.
Kennedy in kennedys 1968 presidential campaign his speech which was held during rfks presidential campaign. Kennedys inaugural address is undisputedly one of the greatest ever. Sep 26, 2008 in his inaugural address, kennedy pledges to support liberty, commit to allies, avoid tyranny, aid the underprivileged throughout the world, and strengthen the americas. Be that as it may, kennedys eloquent and often acclaimed inaugural address. I dont want people to think im a windbag he assigned sorensen the task of studying other inaugural speeches and lincolns gettysburg address to glean the secrets of successful addresses. As hed remarked to his close advisor, ted sorensen, i dont want people to. Smarter faster big think is the leading source of expertdriven. Some of kennedys most memorable speeches, from his inaugural address to his promise to place a man on the moon, resulted from such. The finelycrafted final speech had been revised and reworked numerous times by kennedy and sorensen until the presidentelect was satisfied. Nov 01, 2010 theodore chaikin sorensen, whose prose mingled with the thoughts and words of his close friend john f. Sorensens kennedywere penned by those who occupied.
By invoking the american dream and extending its promise to the rest of the world, kennedys speech was an inspirational call to action that resonates even today. Sorensen cited the 1961 inaugural address as one of kennedys. Kennedy to create some of the most memorable presidential speeches. This paper provides a rhetorical analysis of president john f. Jfk inaugural speech ethos, pathos, and logos historical context rhetorical devices this speech is historical because it is john f. Kennedy features original documents from the librarys collections and includes. Kennedy to create some of the most memorable presidential speeches of the 20th century, died. The most memorable phrase from kennedys speech is, of course. Kennedy took the oath of office to become the nations 35th president.
Theodore chaikin sorensen, whose prose mingled with the thoughts and words of his close friend john f. Kennedy presidential library and museum historical background and context fifty years ago on january 20th, a clerk of the u. President kennedys dictation, taken down by his secretary on january 10, in a combination of shorthand and long hand. Presidential inaugural address delivered 20 january 1961 authenticity certified. Speech writer ted sorensen knew jfks ideas, and they cooperated closely on the speeches of the administration. Nebraskan ted sorensen, kennedys speech writer by mike tobias, net news lincoln native ted sorensen was a longtime aide and speech writer for john f. Irish memeories of late ted sorensen, kennedys speechwriter. Chief justice, president eisenhower, vice president nixon, president truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens. Jfk, fdr, and the secret history of how a great inaugural. Kennedy used rhetorical devices in his inaugural address to show america that he was best for the job. Kennedys inaugural address, ahead of the 100th anniversary of his birth. This speech was delivered on friday, january 20, 1961.
Kennedys inaugural address, certainly, is one speech for which the 35th president is remembered. Overall, ted sorensen s kennedy offers a compelling journey for readers interested in and already somewhat familiar with john f. As preparation, at kennedys request, sorensen studied the most memorable presidential speeches of american history, including other inaugural addresses and abraham lincolns wartime gettysburg address. Ted sorensen, jfks unitarian speechwriter uu world magazine. His historic words, ask not what your country can do for you ask. Includes images of original primary source documents, lesson plans, teacher and student competitions, and educational resources. On january 18, 1961, ted sorensen s secretary typed a 14page final version which was placed in a black threering binder. He assigned sorensen the task of studying other inaugural speeches and. Ted sorensen on writing jfks speeches ted sorensen. John f kennedy or better known as jfk by his initials was the 35th president of the united states.
Kennedys reading copy of the inaugural address, page. Kennedy in 1953 and continued to work for him as an advisor and speechwriter until his assassination as president in 1963. The speech was crafted by kennedy and his speech writer ted sorensen. Kennedys inaugural address on january 20th, 1961 and it signifies his formal induction into the white house. Although kennedys main speechwriter, ted sorensen 19282010, credits authorship of the inaugural address to kennedy alone, the speech is the result of many minds working together. As hed remarked to his close advisor, ted sorensen. He assigned sorensen the task of studying other inaugural speeches and lincolns g ettysburg address to glean the secrets of successful addresses. On april 21, 1968 ted sorensen, speechwriter for president john f. Kennedy defeated richard nixon by a narrow margin and became americas youngest elected president. Til ted sorensen was a speechwriter for president john f. To learn more about the rhetoric and oratory of john kennedy and ted sorensen, have a look at thurston clarkes ask not. During his tenure, he had accomplished many things including the making of the peace corps. Sorensen, former special counsel and adviser to president john f. May 22, 2008 ted sorensen on writing jfks speeches ted sorensen.
Kennedy as the 35th president of the united states was held on. The man who actually wrote that speech, ted sorensen, died just three months ago. Evaluated as a unique, if sympathetic, window into the last eleven years of jfks life and inner circle, this book is often outstanding. The event was sponsored by hunter college young democrats. Kennedy once called him his intellectual blood bank. Kennedy and ted sorensen does not include what may have been the greatest contribution sorensen made to history he drafted the letter to nikita. Kennedys inaugural address 1961 vice president johnson, mr. He helped draft the inaugural address where kennedy said, ask not what your country can do for you. Kennedy first hired ted sorensen as a researcher to help him while was. Well known for the line ask not what your country can do for you, the speech offers. Supreme court held the large fitzgerald family bible as john f.
Sorensen s assertion that kennedy is the sole author was based on sorensen s feeling that the ideas and values of the speech all reflect kennedys thinking, as. Ted sorensen, in full theodore chaikin sorensen, american lawyer and presidential speechwriter born may 8, 1928, lincoln, neb. Kennedy as the 35th president of the united states was held on friday, january 20, 1961 at the east portico of the united states capitol in washington, d. Inaugural addresses as a group are largely forgettable.
Some of kennedys most memorable speeches, from his inaugural address to his promise to place a. Kennedy hielt seine einzige amtsantrittsrede am 20. Aug 14, 2019 to learn more about the rhetoric and oratory of john kennedy and ted sorensen, have a look at thurston clarkes ask not. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfks inaugural address pdf.
Kennedy 196163, serving as an influential innercircle adviser, special counsel, and speechwriter who. Jan 15, 2009 jfk, fdr, and the secret history of how a great inaugural address is written presidents can get their due credit even when we know about their collaborators. Legendary kennedy speechwriter ted sorensen passed away on sunday at age 82. Very active in his campaign, sorensen spoke early on and frequently about the similarities between senator barack obamas and senator john f. Ted sorenson, kennedy adviser and speechwriter, dead at 82. He assigned sorensen the task of studying other inaugural speeches. Included is the type of text it is, where it was first spoken, and the main objective. Nebraska native ted sorensen s role in kennedy white house went far beyond speeches. Ted sorensen one of the last surviving members of john f. Kennedys inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. Kennedys administration, a writer and counselor who did much to shape the presidents narrative, image and legacy, died sunday in manhattan. Born in lincoln, nebraska and graduate of university of nebraska law school sorenson went to work for senator john f. Prepared by the department of education and public programs, john f. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfks inaugural address jfk library.
Kennedy reportedly told his speech writer, ted sorensen, that he wanted this inaugural speech. Kennedys inaugural address is frequently praised as one. Ted sorensen, i dont want people to think im a windbag. Theodore ted sorensen took a keen interest in politics and as a young man he had been influenced by the career of george norris. Featuring 100 milestone documents of american history from the national archives. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfks inaugural address topic. Kennedy, is gone, and the family is absent from congress for the first time since 1946. Jfks selection of advisors reflected the strengths and weaknesses of his own policy experience. Fdrs the only thing we have to fear is fear itself and jfks ask not. Tofel recounts sorensen s brilliance in penning kennedys famous inaugural address.
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