Style Elements

STYLE ELEMENTS

John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is almost a textbook of style elements.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence.

Let us go forth to lead the land we love...
— JFK's Inaugural Address

Allusion

Brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on allusion

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

...not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need — not as a call to battle, though embattled we are...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on anaphora

Antimetabole

Repetition of words in reverse order.

Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
— JFK's Inaugural Address
I know what I like and I like what I know.
more on antimetabole

Antithesis

Opposition or contrast of ideas in a parallel structure.

We shall... support any friend, oppose any foe...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on antithesis

Archaic Diction

Old-fashioned or outdated word choice.

"...beliefs for which our forebears fought."
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on archaic diction

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases or clauses.

We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on asyndeton

Cumulative Sentence

Sentence that completes the main idea at the beginning, then adds on.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on cumulative sentences

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. (Contrast with anaphora)

It was a creed written into the founding documents...: Yes, we can.
...as they blazed a trail...: Yes, we can.
...who pushed westward...: Yes, we can.
...and a king who...: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
— Barack Obama

Hortative Sentence

Sentence that urges or calls to action, often encouragingly.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
— JFK's Inaugural Address

Note: Hortative = encouraging; Imperative = commanding

Imperative Sentence

Sentence used to command or instruct.

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.
— JFK's Inaugural Address
Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.
 

Inversion

Reversing the usual subject-verb-object order.

United there is little we cannot do... Divided there is little we can do...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on inversion

Juxtaposition

Placing two ideas near each other to emphasize contrast or similarity.

We are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth... that the torch has been passed to a new generation...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on juxtaposition

Metaphor

Comparing two things without using like or as.

If a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion...
— JFK's Inaugural Address

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words used together for effect.

"...this peaceful revolution..."
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more oxymorons

Parallelism

Similarity in structure in a pair or series of related words or phrases.

Let both sides explore... Let both sides formulate... Let both sides seek... Let both sides unite...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on parallelism

Periodic Sentence

Sentence whose main idea is withheld until the end.

To that world assembly of sovereign states... we renew our pledge of support.
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on periodic sentences

Personification

Giving human traits to inanimate things or abstract ideas.

"...with history the final judge of our deeds."
— JFK's Inaugural Address

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered.

"Will you join in that historic effort?"
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on rhetorical questions

Synecdoche

Using a part to represent the whole.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on synecdoche

Zeugma

Using a word to apply to two others in different ways — often blending literal and figurative.

Now the trumpet summons us again — not as a call to bear arms... but a call to bear the burden...
— JFK's Inaugural Address
more on zeugma