Analysis of Joe Biden's Speech

Created by Derya Kömür

"I call this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward" ll.16-17 (Tone & Style)

• why does he not use "people" instead?
• he condemns the people who storm the Capitol
• This has the effect that the reader/listener also condemns the attack and the people who are called "mobs" (unlawful behavior )thoughts and emotions are evoked (friend & enemy)(we & them)
• the protestors are not a part of America and they do not share the American values 
• When he says "I call" he tries to be authoritative & uses his role as the future President of The United States of America
• It makes the impression that he is a strong leader and he will not step back in this terrible situation 

Metaphor

• ll.37-40 → the certification of the Election is presented like a coronation
• "...to affirm the majesty of American democracy" → shows, that the Election is sacred and unique 
• he underlines that it is important to keep the democracy up + t underlines the situations gravity and severity 
• function and effect: → creates a picture on the mind of the audience, that the certification is the crowning  of democracy → gives a overwhelming feeling 

"our nation, so long, the beacon of light and hope for democracy" ll. 26-27

-put heavy weight on his words, creates urgency, demands immediate action

-he gets emotional when talking about America, makes a president trustworthy

-metaphorical and symbolic language

-creating vivid images and proudness in the listener, status and values they want to protect

GROUP A: Stylistic Devices

Imagery

ll.20-22 "They storm the Capitol,to smash windows...rummaging through desks on the Capitol.."

This Stylistic Device serves an Important part in dramatizing a speech. Words like "smash" and "storm" are creating an important effect on how the audience sees the mob as violent. It creates strong emotions of anger and fear.

GROUP B: Style and Tone

Repetition/Pathos/Imperative Language

• "Think what, our children watching television is thinking. Think what  the rest of the world is looking at." (ll.45–46)
• he wants to highlight a different perspektive onto the situation like the reputation of America (Americans are really patriotic)
• The audience are called to reflect the situation
• children are metioned to bring in deep strong emotions; vulnerable group ; are easy to influence (danger)–> adults are or more like should be role models

Analysis of Joe Biden's language

"I call on President Trump to go on national television now […]" ll. 18-19

-urgent and authoritative tone

-sign of power, he is in charge now

-directly addressing his competitor and the former president

-shows that he can lead and take

responsibilities

GROUP C: Register and Choice of Words

Historical references

• The shock and sadness he feels at this dark moment in Americas history

Function/ Effect:

Used as a reminder to the real patriosm, creates a strong bond

Between him and his audience by sharing his personal feelings.

• "Through war and strife" (l.28)

Function/ Effect:

→ Creates a proudness and patriotism and shows endurance

→ creates a national identity

"next four years must be the restaurtation of democracy" l. 31

-Biden is in charge for this period

-discredits the work of the Republicans and former president

-make hope to repair/heal the country, conciliatory

-gives himself credits for the future, builds hope and trust in the listener

Emotive adjectives

• "Shocked and saddened"(l. 26) (→ word fields)

→ Biden expresses his emotions with the use of  emotional world fields, which makes the audience uncomfortable

→ it creates an emotional reaction: sympathy and empathy

Function:

sadness → emotional response of dissapointment

shocked → serves an emotional reaction to unexpected

creates a connection the the audience

• "assault" (l. 4) and "chaos" (l. 12)

Function:

- conveying a sense of urgency, seriousness and importance

Effect:

- evokes strong emotions to motivate people to work for the common goal of upholding democracy

Sentence structure

• Short sentences

→ e.g.: "Let me be very clear." (l. 12), "This is not the dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos." (l. 15), "It's not protest. It's insurrection. The world's watching" (ll. 24-25)

Function/effect:

→ creates a rythm, makes it memorable, drives the point home, makes it seem stronger and more important, creates a feeling of epicness