The Contrast of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Speeches.

Essay by charley_jrCollege, UndergraduateA-, October 2003

download word file, 4 pages 5.0

Comparasion Essay - Contrast - Informative writing

Thesis: Though they might be similar, the differences are of the utmost importance, the circumstances of each of their times, the changes in audience, and the purpose of their speeches.

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Machanics- grammer,punctuation, spelling

Style - word choice, formality, sentence structure

"The only thing we have to fear... is fear it self..."and "Ask not what your country can do for you... ask what you can do for your country." Two of the most influential quotes of the twentieth century taken from their inaugural speeches, as they were about to embark on the Presidency of the United States of America. Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt voiced the first passage on March 4th, 1933 and late President John F. Kennedy voiced the second passage on January 20th, 1961. Both inaugural speeches came at important times during American History and both share similarities and differences.

Though they might be similar, the differences are of the utmost importance, the circumstances of each of their times, the changes in audience, and the purpose of their speeches. Each can be interpreted it's own manner in which they are.

To start off, each speech is presented under different circumstances during American history. Franklin D. Roosevelt is dealing with the depression of the United States. His speech comes at a time when taxes have risen, the ability to pay has fallen, and not only is the American government faced with restriction of income, but governments around the world as well. He speaks of how many farmers can't seem to find a market for their produce and how the savings of thousands of families have vanished. Most important of all he mentions a host of unemployed citizens faced with a life and death state of affairs due to the...