Analysis and Comment on “back to School”

Analysis and comment on “Back to School”

On September 2009, President Barack Obama gave a speech at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. He mainly talked about the responsible part of being a student. But what would be different this year 2009, from the earlier year 2008?

While Barack Obama is delivering his speech in Virginia, it is being streamed and sent to the rest of the educational institutions from the small children in the preschool class to the 12. Grade which would be about in the age of 5 to 18-year-old people in the United States. The speech is a pep-talk, which is meant to be inspiring and to motivate the students and to work hard in school. In the speech Barack Obama is focusing on the importance of education, and he is trying to arrange conceit of education to the American students. He attaches his importance on, how education is necessary to have a good life, and how the students have their self-responsibility to their own way they learn. He is also explaining how the students not only have a responsibility to themselves, but also to their country. The United States depends on that they are going to have a good education, so they can cure cancer, innovate their society and participate in the country’s economy. The speech is using a lot of concrete and personal experiences to tell its intention, that every single person in the system are going to do great, no matter who they are, and where they are from. Especially Obamas own narrative is being told, and so are Michelle Obamas. Obama is giving examples of how three students under bad conditions, have been doing great, even though they didn’t have anything else than their hard work and discipline. Not only is he telling about his background, he is also talking about famous people like J.K Rowling and Michael Jorden.

Obamas audience is students from preschool, in the age of five to six years, to the

Out schooling, who are about 17 too 18-year-old. This have a huge influence of the way he speaks to the audience. Obama is trying to put himself in their place, so they are even and in eye-height. When he is in their place, his influence is much more striking, and people will identify themselves with him. He uses a simple style and maybe a bit informal style. There are many examples of how they could identify themselves with him. In his opening-line he is quickly positioned by saying “Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today?” (P.1, L.1). One of the most important elements in the speech is, that Obama needs to gain their pathos, so the students will identify them with him. If he doesn’t gain their pathos, his speech won’t have any impact on the audience. So by being in eye height he is showing them, that he has been exactly the same place, as they are today. ”I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school.” (P.1, L.10-11). Obama is telling one of his personal stories, about his childhood, which is powering his own trust ability, which is a typical Ethos argument. Obama is also talking to the sense of responsibility. He explains them that you got to take account of your own learning, if they want to have success in their lives, which is of course a logical argument. “But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfil your responsibilities.” (P.2, L.29-31). In the speech Obama is also talking about- and to the patriotic feelings most of the Americans have. He is trying to get them to take their studying more serious, not only for themselves, but also for the country. “What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future”. (P.3, L.52-54). He is talking to the guilty conscience, which is a pathos appeal. If you don’t work hard, it will affect our United nation. 

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