Ich bin ein Berliner

Opening — Challenge to complacency

Kennedy directly challenges those who believe communism is acceptable or that the Cold War is exaggerated, using the refrain 'Let them come to Berlin' to refute each claim with the physical evidence of the divided city.

The Wall as evidence

Rather than abstract arguments about ideology, Kennedy points to the Wall itself as proof of communism's failure — a regime that must cage its people rather than inspire them.

Solidarity declaration

The famous 'Ich bin ein Berliner' declaration identifies Kennedy — and by extension, all free people — with the citizens of Berlin. It transforms a geopolitical alliance into a personal bond.

Vision of reunification

Kennedy closes by looking beyond the current crisis to a future united Europe and a united Berlin, framing the struggle as temporary and freedom as inevitable.

Anaphora — 'Let them come to Berlin'

"Four times Kennedy invites skeptics to 'come to Berlin' and see the evidence for themselves. Each repetition builds the argument through accumulation."

Creates a rhetorical drumbeat that the crowd could anticipate and cheer. Transforms argument into anthem.

Code-switching (German phrases)

"Using German phrases — 'Ich bin ein Berliner' and 'Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen' — Kennedy speaks the audience's language literally and figuratively."

Creates immediate emotional connection. The crowd's explosive response showed they felt personally addressed by the American president.

Antithesis

"Kennedy contrasts the free world, which shows its faults openly, with communism, which must build walls to keep its people in."

Makes a devastating ideological argument in a single, memorable image.

Brevity as power

"The entire speech is under 700 words. Kennedy says more in ten minutes than most Cold War speeches managed in an hour."

Every word carries weight. The brevity made it more quotable and more memorable.

Physical location as argument

Speaking within sight of the Berlin Wall meant Kennedy did not need to argue abstractly. The evidence was visible behind him.

Personal identification

By claiming 'I am a Berliner,' Kennedy collapsed the distance between American president and German citizen, creating an emotional bond that transcended politics.

Brevity

At under 700 words, the speech was short enough to be remembered in its entirety. Every line became quotable.

Crowd as co-performer

The roar of 400,000 people became part of the speech itself. Kennedy's pauses let the crowd respond, making the address feel like a dialogue between leader and people.

Use location as argument

If you can, deliver your speech in a place that reinforces your message. The setting becomes evidence.

Speak their language

Even a few words in your audience's language — or their professional jargon — creates an immediate bond. It shows respect and effort.

Brevity is power

Kennedy proved that a 10-minute speech can change history. Say what needs to be said, then stop. The audience will remember more from a short, powerful speech than a long, thorough one.