1. 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.

2. Michelle Obama

3. Introduction
Context
Purpose
Audience
Signpost commentary

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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