High School

Which rhetorical strategy is Kennedy using in this excerpt from his address at Rice University?

"I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the Office of the Presidency."

Answer :

Answer: Ethos.

Explanation: there are three main rhetorical strategies when giving an argument in a speech or in a text, they are pathos, logos and ethos. Pathos is appealing to the audience's emotions, logos consists in appealing to the audience's logic, and ethos is appealing to the audience's ethics. In the given excerpt from Kennedy's speech, we can see an example of Ethos, because he is using his position as president (which gives him credibility) to convince the audience.

President Kennedy is using D. pathos in this excerpt by appealing to the audience's emotions, highlighting the importance of space exploration and inspiring national pride.

President Kennedy is utilizing the rhetorical strategy of ethos in this excerpt from his address at Rice University.

  • By emphasizing the importance of decisions made during his presidency, Kennedy established credibility and authority as a leader.
  • Thus, he highlights the significance of shifting efforts in space exploration, he aims to inspire a sense of urgency, pride, and nationalistic fervor.
  • Kennedy's choice to frame this decision as one of the most important of his presidency also serves to emphasize the gravity and monumental nature of the space effort, appealing to the audience's sense of patriotism and shared purpose.

Complete Question:

Which rhetorical strategy is Kennedy using in this excerpt from his address at Rice University? "I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the Office of the Presidency.

A. Ethos

B. Logos

C. Analogy

D. Pathos