Analyse af Barack Obamas tale 'Back to School'

On September 8th 2009 President Barack Obama delivered a speech at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, ”Back to School”. His speech addresses the students on Wakefield High School, and focuses on getting the students to work harder in school. Barack Obama uses several rhetorical methods to inspire and motivate the students. This speech shows Barack Obamas attempt to activate today’s students – even though it is a challenging task. x

Barack Obamas speeches have in general the directive massage function, whether it is to persuade the American citizens to vote for him, or it is to persuade the students to increase their efforts. The structure of the speech is very simply, which makes it easy for the receivers to keep up and it gives them a good insight into the basic message of the speech. Barack Obama starts with an informal opening and continues to a sympathetic insight sequence. Afterwards he moves on to the more serious part were he presents the problems and assigns importance to the word responsibility. The subsequent part appeals directly to the students and awakens their dreams. The following part is very personal and begins with the sentence,” I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family…” x. This gives the students something to relate to, something to strengthen from. The next part is characteristic for Barack Obamas speeches; living examples. He refers to specific instances to inspire, strengthen and motivate the receivers. In the final part he stipulates a “to-do-list”, to make sure that all doubts are eliminated. Barack Obama finishes of with his classic ending sentence,” Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.”