Style of language

Ronald Reagan uses a formal style of language in his “Tear down this wall” speech, which suits the political context of the time and the serious topic that he is addressing.

When it comes to sentence structure, Reagan mainly uses long and middle-length sentences that help the audience focus on the complexity of his ideas. For example, long sentences are used when Reagan talks about the beneficial effects of the Marshall Plan n Berlin:

Where a city's culture seemed to have been destroyed, today there are two great universities, orchestras and an opera, countless theaters, and museums. Where there was want, today there's abundance--food, clothing, automobiles--the wonderful goods of the Ku'damm.

In this example, Reagan also highlights some of the symbols that bring the most pride to Berliners. 

At times, short sentences are used to make some i...