Style of writing

Trudeau’s choice of words reflects a formal style, which is appropriate for the circumstances of the speech and the serious nature of the things he is apologising for: “For state-sponsored, systemic oppression and rejection, we are sorry” (l. 70). Fitting the formal style, he mostly avoids contractions and speaks each phrase carefully and deliberately.

Trudeau's speech is often characterised by negative words and phrases, which describe the oppression and injustice suffered by LGBTQ2 Canadians:  “dangerous, indecent, and flawed” (l. 78); “surveilled, interrogated and abused” (l. 80); “lost wages, lost health, and lost loved ones” (l. 82), etc.

Though the style remains formal throughout the speech, Trudeau also makes it deeply personal through h...