Linguistic features

Style of language

In her speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2020, Michelle Obama mainly uses a formal style. This matches the political context and the serious nature of the topic. When it comes to the sentence structure, Obama mainly uses middle-length and long sentences, which illustrate the complexity of the issues she addresses. For example, a long sentence is used when she talks about the virtues needed to fulfill the role of President of the US: 

It requires clear-headed judgment, a mastery of complex and competing issues, a devotion to facts and history, a moral compass, and an ability to listen—and an abiding belief that each of the 330,000,000 lives in this country has meaning and worth. (ll. 15-17)

The sentence makes Obama appear knowl...