Audience

President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address was delivered in front of the US Congress, which was the main target audience. However, the speech was also televised, which implies that the wider audience is the general American public but also the international audience.

In his speech, Barack Obama addresses both American society and members of Congress: “America, for all that we have endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back; for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this:” (ll. 30-32); “I’ve served in Congress with many of you. I know many of you well. There are a lot of good people here, on both sides of the aisle.” (ll. 752-755)

Because a State of the Union Address is a formal, periodical event in which the US President addresses Congress with an evaluation of the country and proposals for future legislative reforms, it stands to reason that the main target audience is Congress. This is because Obama will only be able to achieve his legislative goals for the future with the help and agreement of Congress. This is why the speaker tries to remind the members…