Barack Obama and Donald

Trump
Two sides of the same coin
 Their discourse styles
Barack Obama Donald Trump
➔ Reasoned dialogue ➔ Conversational style
➔ Sophisticated language ➔ Simplistic language
➔ Complex sentences
➔ Short simple sentences
➔ Unifying metaphors
➔ Unclear/incoherent ideas
➔ Unscripted comments

Similar ways of addressing their audiences...

Speeches of Inauguration
They carefully select different language devices that help them build
a new reality for America from there on, in which the country’s
ever-lasting issues will be overcome and the nation will get its
splendor and greatness back.
Three-part list
➢ “We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for

politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate.” - Obama

➢ “A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our

divisions.” - Trump
Anaphora
➢ “That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to
our creed.” - Obama
➢ “We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring
back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.” - Trump
➢ “You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course. You
and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time.” -
Obama
➢ “This is your day. This is your celebration.” - Trump
Alliteration
➢ “ With common effort and common purpose.” - Obama

➢ “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.” - Trump

➢ “Not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift”. - Obama

➢ “A new national pride will stir our souls and lift our sights”. - Trump
Antithesis
➢ “These things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us.” - Obama
➢ “It is not which party controls our government, but whether our
government is controlled by the people.” - Trump
➢ “They do not make us a nation of takers, they free us to take the risks that
make this country great.” - Obama
➢ “Washington flourished – but the people did not share in its wealth.” -
Trump
Grammatical processes and participant types
Actions (S + V + O)

➢ “We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of
arms and rule of law.” - Obama
➢ “We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries.” -
Trump
➢ “We will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage
crisis abroad.” - Obama
➢ “We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones.” - Trump
Modality
Indicative Mood:

➢ “A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun.” -

Obama
➢ “That all changes – starting right here, and right now, because this
moment is your moment: it belongs to you.” - Trump
➢ “America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that
this world without boundaries demands.” - Obama
➢ “The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.” - Trump
Modality
Modal Verbs: Will/Must

➢ “America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the
globe.” - Obama
➢ “We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.” - Trump
➢ “We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect.” - Obama
➢ “We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries.” -
Trump
Personal Pronouns
Inclusive “we”:

➢ “We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our
skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names.” - Obama
➢ “We are one nation – and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our
dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one
home, and one glorious destiny.” - Trump
Conclusion
In what sense are their rethorics effective?

● Tenacity
● Self-confidence Trustworthy and

● Leadership appealing