Teachers notes You will need a copy of the Michelle Obama speech A copy of the structure The picture on slide 2 is a link to extracts from the speech.

Michelle Obama

Introduction Context Purpose Audience Signpost commentary

Cultural Context: America New York State of Mind Newport State of Mind

Introduction Context Purpose Audience Signpost commentary Graduation speech, by the first lady to a group of university students in New York American election campaign Tradition of graduation speeches Purpose Inspire future generation Create support for the democratic party – indirectly critiquing Donald Trump’s policies on immigration Hope/ inspiration Audience Graduates American voters Internet audience Signpost commentary

This is a speech given by Michelle Obama at a university graduation This is a speech given by Michelle Obama at a university graduation. In the tradition of American university graduation speeches, Obama is delivering an optimistic message of hope and inspiration. Obama makes it clear that she admires the ‘ordinariness’ of the background of the students she is addressing. They seem to be a multi-cultural group of New Yorkers from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. However, the wider context for this speech is the Clinton Trump presidential election campaign which was gathering momentum at this time. Throughout this speech Obama references Trump’s policies, particularly his policies around immigration. Although she is not overt in her criticism, anybody aware of the details of the Trump campaign cannot fail to miss her allusions to his policies.

How does Michelle Obama present her point of view powerfully? Notice: Anaphora Repetition Emotive Language Abstract nouns Use of pronouns Modal verbs Imperative verbs Lists (asyndetic/ polysyndetic) Conjunctions Antithesis Patriotism Hedges Metaphor