A brilliant leader can convince people by using conclusive and meaningful language. A conversion is a way of delivering a verbal message to an audience. The proponent aims to change the audience’s affection and reason by adopting certified words or behavior which can influence them. The leader’s success depends on different linguistic features they use when addressing persons. Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech utilizes repetition and metaphors to illustrate themes such as responsibility, hope, and change. The rhetorical devices help people to understand the importance of communication. By using these linguistic features, the former US president demonstrated what his policy emphasis would be.
Barrack Obama used repetition in his speech to seek the audience’s attention. He says, “We may not get there in one year, or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.” This statement emphasizes the unity of the intention of the people and the president. In addition, Obama emphasizes his determination in serving the people when he repeats, “That is the reason we do this; that is the vision we share; that is the reason elections matter; that is where we need to go” (Yanti 156). Further, the declaration stresses the importance of electing good leaders who believe in change. Obama is convinced that an impressive response is required from the country’s authorities. It should be mentioned that the reiteration of Obama’s slogan “Yes We Can” became accepted during his victory. He declares that it is the responsibility of all people to prepare for a change. Obama stresses that courage and teamwork among the people would transform the nation’s education, healthcare, and security systems.
The 2008 speech has various metaphors to conceptualize Obama’s ideas to the people. The former president of the US uses the phrase “our climb will be steep” to postulate that he intends to make a difference in society but admits it will not be easy. Rhetorical devices help leaders increase the expressiveness of artistic speech to the public. Obama counted that he knows that civic warfare can occasionally appear insignificant and even senseless. The effect furnishes an abundance of motivation for the detractors who inform people that politics is nothing more than a discussion of characters or the concern of interests (Yanti 152). The speech articulates how sarcastic individuals perceive politics as a self-gaining business while undermining the set objectives in the country. According to DeVinney, Obama’s descriptive sequence appears when he utters “the enormity of the tasks ahead” and “roadblocks” in his speech (7). The first phrase indicates the broadness of the job that needs fulfillment during his presidency. Secondly, he uses the word “roadblocks” to illustrate the barriers that oppose the nation’s goals. He proposes that he will work relentlessly for all the people despite their race or religion.
The use of linguistics techniques in Obama’s speech has shown a positive outcome of literacy learning because it primarily improves communication skills. The purpose of Obama’s address was to inspire the people to accept him as their leader and allow him to confront emerging problems by doing his best. The influential dialects produce the most deliberate result on the audience because they are purposed to raise the influence of the speaker’s preference. It is essential to teach the importance of rhetorical linguistics in schools to increase literacy levels.
Works Cited
DeVinney, Daniel J. “Legitimizing the First Black presidency: Cinematic History and Rhetorical Vision in Barack Obama’s 2008 Victory Speech.” Southern Communication Journal, vol. 86, no. 1, 2021, pp. 5-16.
Yanti, Yusrita. “Basic Emotions in the 2008 US Presidential Debates: What and How.” Journal of Cultura and Lingua, vol. 2, no. 3, 2021, pp. 149-161.