Style of language

The language used by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in the TED talk “We Should All Be Feminists” is neutral and engages the audience through the use of both formal and informal elements. For example, informal words and expressions, like “but anyway”, “a big deal”, “God forbid”, and “by the way” make Adichie’s language easily accessible to the audience. Formal words and expressions, like “half bit knowledge”, “compelled”, and “internalize” reflect Adichie’s academic background. 

Adichie often uses humor in her speech. For example, the audience is entertained when she explains how some people act as though they believe being a feminist is like being “a supporter of terrorism”. Another example is when she defines herself as “a happy African feminist who does not hate m...