Inaugural Address (JFK)

Inaugural Address - John F. Kennedy

(Background Information - Connections to Today's World)

P. 176 - Thematic Connection

1. What was the United States "locked" in when Kennedy took office in 1961?

P. 176 - Literary Connection

2. What are some of the persuasive techniques used by Kennedy and other effective public speakers?

P. 176 - John F. Kennedy

3. On what date was John F. Kennedy assassinated?

P. 177 - Inaugural Address - John F. Kennedy

4. Critical Viewing: What do the images in this montage - and the unfinished quality of the upper right corner - suggest about Kennedy?

5. Speculate: Why do you think Kennedy refers to himself and his audience as "heirs of that first revolution"?

P. 178 - Inaugural Address - John F. Kennedy

6. Build Vocabulary: What is an "alliance"?

7. According to footnote #3, what are the "dark forces of destruction"?

P. 179 - Inaugural Address - John F. Kennedy

8. What are some positive things that you could do for your country?

Check Your Comprehension

9. List two specific pledges that Kennedy makes?

Critical Thinking

10. Infer: Why does Kennedy make reference to the founders of the country?

11. Social Studies Link: Locate evidence that Kennedy believed in volunteerism.