Language

In this section of the study guide, we will analyze the language employed by Barack Obama in his American promise speech delivered at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado. We will focus on word choice, tone, and sentence structu…

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Sentence structure

Obama’s speech is mostly constructed of middle-length and long sentences. The purpose of this structure is to create vivid images in the mind of the audience and also to create a powerful impression. For instance, the longer sentence in which Obama talks about his parents meeting helps the audience imagine that people from every background, no matter how modest, are given a chance to pursue their dreams in the US:

Four years ago, I stood before yo…

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Tone

In the parts of the speech that are presented in your textbook, Obama’s tone is formal and powerful. He stirs emotions in the audience by referring to his past and by describing the reasons why the American promise must be kept alive. He does this firmly, with a powerful voice, and he stresses the words he wants the audience to focus on. He also repeatedly uses firm hand gestures to suggest his determination when he talks about the future of the nation, for examp…