How does Colonel Tim Collin’s ‘1st Battalion speech’ compare and contrast
with John F. Kennedy’s ‘Inaugural Address’?
Pearson Edexcel A Level English Language and Literature
Texts taken from ‘Voices in Speech and Writing: an Anthology’
Component 1
Syllabus 9ELO
Colonel Tim Collins (Text A) and President Kennedy (Text B) show how their experiences. For
example, Collins gives a speech to his British soldiers telling them what they shall and shall
not do when invading to kill Saddam Husain. He mentions these ideas on the eve-of-battle at
their Fort Blair Mayne camp in the Kuwaiti desert on 19 March 2003. He uses persuasive and
motivating language such as the hyperbole, “rock their world” the alliteration, “brought by
you” and the oxymoron, “rightful destruction” to boost morale amongst his soldiers and
justify his actions. Nevertheless, Collins uses the infinitive, “liberate” the adjective,
“magnanimous” and the tripartite list of adjectives,” decent, generous and upright” to make
his soldiers be respectful towards the people that they are fighting to “free” from the grasp
of the ruthless Dictator. On the other hand, Kennedy mentions the conflict that was current
at the time between the capitalist West and the Communist East. He talks about this at his
inauguration a year before The Cuban Missile Crisis to millions of people around the world.
He tries to persuade the leaders of the USSR that peace is the only way that the war will end
well for both sides. He uses the metaphor, “engulf all humanity” to back this up and strike
fear into his audience through the use of the alliteration, “bonds of mass misery”. Both of the
speeches make reference to peace and the creation of a better future.
The nature of tone of voice is similar in (text A) and (text B) due to the different conditions
why the texts were written and who they were aimed at. For instance, Collins creates a
respectful tone through the use of the religious metaphors,” Garden of Eden” and “birthplace
of Abraham” implying that the soil that they are fighting on is sacred and that his soldiers
shouldn’t overstay their welcome. Furthermore, the noun “right in International law” shows
that he is fair and believes that even the enemy deserves a second chance at life. Moreover,
Collins mentions that “we will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation” implying
that his soldiers should eradicate the enemy from Iraq and leave the people to live in peace
and harmony. Collins also shows the dark side to his personality when he uses the oxymoron,
“rightful destruction” the noun, “nemesis” and “show them no pity” letting his soldiers know
that it is crucial for them to show the enemy no mercy if they don’t comply. On the other
hand, Kennedy creates a confident and reasonable voice through the anaphora,” Let us never
negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” Implying that “peace” and “freedom”
is the only option for a brighter future. He is obviously aiming his speech at the leaders of the
Soviet Union and people living in the West. Furthermore, the idiom, “welcome to the ranks
of the free” and the repetition of the abstract noun, “free” shows his eagerness to help those
in need. Moreover, the repetition of the phrase, “Let both sides” implies that peace will be
obtained equally between the USSR and the capitalist west and creates a sort of “to do” list
that both need to do to obtain peace. The alliteration, “precise proposals” and the adjective,
“absolute control” between all nations adds to this and refers to the equality that would be
with John F. Kennedy’s ‘Inaugural Address’?
Pearson Edexcel A Level English Language and Literature
Texts taken from ‘Voices in Speech and Writing: an Anthology’
Component 1
Syllabus 9ELO
Colonel Tim Collins (Text A) and President Kennedy (Text B) show how their experiences. For
example, Collins gives a speech to his British soldiers telling them what they shall and shall
not do when invading to kill Saddam Husain. He mentions these ideas on the eve-of-battle at
their Fort Blair Mayne camp in the Kuwaiti desert on 19 March 2003. He uses persuasive and
motivating language such as the hyperbole, “rock their world” the alliteration, “brought by
you” and the oxymoron, “rightful destruction” to boost morale amongst his soldiers and
justify his actions. Nevertheless, Collins uses the infinitive, “liberate” the adjective,
“magnanimous” and the tripartite list of adjectives,” decent, generous and upright” to make
his soldiers be respectful towards the people that they are fighting to “free” from the grasp
of the ruthless Dictator. On the other hand, Kennedy mentions the conflict that was current
at the time between the capitalist West and the Communist East. He talks about this at his
inauguration a year before The Cuban Missile Crisis to millions of people around the world.
He tries to persuade the leaders of the USSR that peace is the only way that the war will end
well for both sides. He uses the metaphor, “engulf all humanity” to back this up and strike
fear into his audience through the use of the alliteration, “bonds of mass misery”. Both of the
speeches make reference to peace and the creation of a better future.
The nature of tone of voice is similar in (text A) and (text B) due to the different conditions
why the texts were written and who they were aimed at. For instance, Collins creates a
respectful tone through the use of the religious metaphors,” Garden of Eden” and “birthplace
of Abraham” implying that the soil that they are fighting on is sacred and that his soldiers
shouldn’t overstay their welcome. Furthermore, the noun “right in International law” shows
that he is fair and believes that even the enemy deserves a second chance at life. Moreover,
Collins mentions that “we will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation” implying
that his soldiers should eradicate the enemy from Iraq and leave the people to live in peace
and harmony. Collins also shows the dark side to his personality when he uses the oxymoron,
“rightful destruction” the noun, “nemesis” and “show them no pity” letting his soldiers know
that it is crucial for them to show the enemy no mercy if they don’t comply. On the other
hand, Kennedy creates a confident and reasonable voice through the anaphora,” Let us never
negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” Implying that “peace” and “freedom”
is the only option for a brighter future. He is obviously aiming his speech at the leaders of the
Soviet Union and people living in the West. Furthermore, the idiom, “welcome to the ranks
of the free” and the repetition of the abstract noun, “free” shows his eagerness to help those
in need. Moreover, the repetition of the phrase, “Let both sides” implies that peace will be
obtained equally between the USSR and the capitalist west and creates a sort of “to do” list
that both need to do to obtain peace. The alliteration, “precise proposals” and the adjective,
“absolute control” between all nations adds to this and refers to the equality that would be
