Rapport created in Chicago speech by Barack Obama

Authors Avatar

In this study I will be analysing the speech of Barack Obama in two different contexts. The first speech is his victory speech in Chicago on the 4th November 2008. The second is his campaigning speech in Iowa. These speeches depict Obama in both a formal and less formal situation. It is important that we realise that his strategies have changed.

Barack Obama creates rapport with the audience during his victory acceptance speech in many ways. He creates an immediate bond with the audience as he begins his speech by saying, “Hello Chicago!” He then pauses for a minute in order for the citizens of America to welcome him as the USA’s president. Then he addresses the people who had not voted for him because they thought he was not capable of leading America and then thanking the thousands of voters that gave him his victory. The effective line “tonight is your answer”, uses personal pronouns to engage the audience and involve them in his success.

Obama thanks his “partner”, this shows the close friendship between himself and his colleagues before thanking his own family. This shows the gratefulness towards the Americans for making him president. The president begins to talk about his own life, “the love of my life”, allowing the citizens into his own world. This shows him as being very humble and creates rapport as it shows that there were lots of people behind his own success and in order for America to be a success, the citizens will be there for her.

Join now!

In the victory speech, Obama refers to situations that allow a connection between himself and the audience as he uses phrases such as “on the train home” proving that he too is an ordinary man like the rest of them. However he also refers the patriotic past of the United States of America.

Barack Obama often uses powerful visual imagery and metaphors in his victory speech. Earlier on he uses contrast and personal pronouns to rely on him. “We are not enemies but friends”. This allows the American population to feel involved and make them feel as if they ...

This is a preview of the whole essay