Analysis

You can read a short overview of the analysis of the preface to Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming below.

The rhetorical situation shows that the text was written by Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, and is intended for a wide range of receivers in both the US and internationally. 

The structure of the preface for Becoming reveals what the book is going to be about. In the beginning, Obama talks about the concept of becoming something specific once you reach adulthood. In the main body, Obama talks about the many roles she adopted throughout her life and the challenges they brought. The preface ends with an anecdote and with Obama’s motivation for writing her memoir.

Michelle Obama’s style of writing contains both formal and informal elements, which makes readers feel more connected to her and to her experiences. Personal stories also help Obama come across as friendly and make her experiences easier to relate to.

In the preface of Becoming, Obama uses several rhetorical devices to support her ideas. For example, she uses anecdotes to appear more approachable, as well as repetitions and antithesis to explain her experience as First Lady.

The text mostly relies on ethos and pathos as forms of appeal. By using ethos, Obama makes herself appear trustworthy and knowledgeable. When she uses pathos, Obama appeals to her readership’s feelings of sympathy, anger, and hope.

Many of these analysis features are relevant when you need to discuss how Michelle Obama presents herself, as her various language devices are meant to make her come across as someone worth listening to on the topic of personal development. 

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.