Obama Victory Speech Analysis

Obama Victory Speech Analysis

This is an extract from Barack Obama’s ‘Victory speech’, in which it addresses the citizens of America. With this speech he aims to start his presidential campaign on a positive note. He uses various structural devices like hooks and inclusive, along with stylistic devices such as allusions and repetitions to accomplish his goal of influencing his audience and make them believe that there is change coming to America.

This speech was delivered in 2008 after Obama won presidential elections. He addresses the general masses in the United Sates of America (USA), more specifically, his doubters. His speech opens with the very words “if there is anyone who still doubts…”. His main aim throughout the speech is to start his term on a positive note by making ‘promises’ to the people and giving them ‘hope’ for a better tomorrow. He also aims to persuade all his doubters to work with him on improving the United States of America. The main theme of his speech is ‘social unity breeds’ and ‘change’.

The tone in this speech plays an important part in persuading the audience. He remains confident throughout the speech by using bold phrases like as “tonight is your answer” and “I promise you”, along with commitments like “we will get there” and “a better day”. This confidence in turn, transfers onto the audience in the form on confidence in Obama. His tone is also optimistic. By using the words and phrases “we can achieve”, “Blend it [history] once more” and “hope”. This gives a sense of positivity to the audience and makes them feel good about their vote. Finally, his tone is defiant at times, such as when he claims that America “[was] never a collection of red and blue states”. Using words like ‘promise’ and ‘change’ Obama crates a sense of hope in the listener. The audience’s mood also becomes very optimistic when Obama uses the phrases “we will get there” and “I have never been more hopeful”. This sense of positivity in the tone and mood crated helps launch his term in a positive manner and makes the audience feel right about their decision of choosing Obama as their President.

Obama uses a lot of stylistic devices in his speech in order to create a positive effect on his audience. He uses the rule of three various times during his speech, the most notable one being right at the beginning “who doubts America is a place where everything is possible, who still wonder if the dream of our founders is still alive… who still questions the power of democracy”. This captures the listener’s attention and acts as a hook. It suggests that this speech will address to all the doubters of America and give them an ‘answer’. Another place where Obama uses a triad is when he mentions of a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. This makes Obama seem like a leader who stands for the people instead of the political system. A thing worth noting here is the allusion to Gettysburg address (of, for, by the). Another allusion used by Obama is the allusion to Martin Luther King’s Speech “I have a Dream”, when he says “the dream of our founder is still alive”. Both these allusions connect the good times of the past with the present. Obama use various repetitions in his speech as well. For example, repetition of the word ‘difference’ gives hope to the readers for a better tomorrow. Also Obama repeats the word ‘Answer’. This gives the impression that Obama is here to provide answers and positivity. Also, Obama emphasizes on the present date and the efforts going on, by repeating the word ‘this’ in the fifth paragraph. Additionally, Obama uses the inclusive “young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled”. This is a wide array of demographic groups, which shows verity and diversity in the USA. The very next word used is ‘Americans’. This gives a sense of unity to all these groups and shows the power of the USA. Furthermore, this speech features overstatements as well. Obama uses the phrases “numbers never seen” and “first time in their lives”, to show a momentous change coming forth. All of this fill the audience with a lot of positivity and faith.