Obama's Speech and His Speaking Style

"Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear."
"...just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are."
Obama's Farewell Speech.  Chicago, IL. January 10, 2017


According to Robert Terrill, professor of Rhetoric in the English Department at Indiana University, Obama keeps many of the same characteristics in his speeches as a state senator, US senator and president.  If we trace all the way back to his 2004 keynote at the Democratic National Convention, we may notice the following traits:

• a tendency to use his own life story as an exemplar;
• a fondness for placing events in historical contexts;
• a tendency to tell stories about specific individuals, often quoting them individually;
• an ability to pair optimistic idealism with clear-eyed pragmatism without making it seem forced; and
• a penchant for grammatically balanced phrases that invite his listeners to view things from multiple perspectives.

One thing that distinguishes Obama's oratorical style from that of his contemporaries is his unusual sensitivity to context and audience.  He adjusts his style to suit his goals and the circumstances.  His flexibility to appeal to a variety of audiences is a strength for him.

Source:
Chicago Tribune, Wednesday January 11, 2017