Structure

Michelle Obama begins her “Dear Class of 2020” graduation speech by greeting the young audience and by offering congratulations for their “years of hard work” (l. 3). She then presents the difficult situation that the world finds itself in and says that she understands the graduates’ feelings of anger, confusion, and fear (ll. 14-17)

Obama uses four life lessons to structure the presentation of her message. Her first lesson is about the uncertainty of life (ll. 41-44). Obama draws on her personal example to show graduates that the uncertainty of life can be an opportunity to learn and transform. 

Her second lesson is about the importance of treating people right. Obama admits that many people use shortcuts and lies to their advantage (which could be read as a reference to Donald Trump), but advises g...