Style of language

Richard Nixon uses a formal style of language in his “Silent Majority” speech, which mirrors the political context and the serious topic that he discusses – the US’ involvement in the Vietnam War and any opposition to it. 

When it comes to sentence structure, Nixon uses a combination of different-length sentences. For example, short sentences are used when Nixon wants to make his ideas more impactful: “I have chosen this second course. It is not the easy way. It is the right way”. In this example, short sentences highlight the importance of pursuing a longer plan for the benefit of both American and South Vietnamese troops. 

Nixon tends to use middle-length sentences when he gives the audience an overview of America’s proposals for North Vietnam:

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