Rhetorical devices

Choice of words

The choice of words reflects a focus on fundamental American values— equal opportunity, freedom, courage, creativity, resilience—etc. The speaker constantly uses the personal pronoun “we” or its possessive form “our” which are an appeal to the idea that all American share the same values, rights, and responsibilities. This is further emphasized by his use of phrases such as “we, the people” (l. 81).

Many of the words used in the speech are about American qualities and suggest the speaker wants to inspire the audience to focus on those positive aspects that characterize them as Americans: “youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.” (ll. 76-78)

Sentence structure

The sentence structure reveals the speaker mostly uses longer sentences, which often include enumerations: “So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher.” (ll. 97-101)

Sentences are never interrupted by interjections or improvisation, so it is clear the speech was prepared in advance. This adds to the formal and rhetorical tone of the speech. Sometimes, sentences are fragmented with the purpose of emphasizing an idea: “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still…” (ll. 183-185)

Tone and symbols

The tone of the speaker is serious, determined, and grave, with occasional instances of optimism and encouragement. The speaker’s determination is especially reinforced by the use of the modal verb “must” and the future tense with "will": “For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift...