Syntactical Analysis: Sentence Types and Patterns in Michelle Obama's 2024 Democratic National Convention Speech

Abstract

This research aims to analyze Michelle Obama's speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention with a focus on syntactic structure, particularly sentence types and patterns, and their contribution to persuasive strategies in political rhetoric. Using qualitative descriptive methods and syntactic analysis based on Fromkin's (2011) sentence type theory, Verspoor and Sauter's (2000) sentence pattern theory, and Perloff's (2003) persuasion theory. The data were analyzed in the form of speech transcripts to determine the distribution of simple, complex, compound, compound-complex sentences, as well as sentence patterns containing linking verbs, monotransitive and ditransitive verbs. We found that Michelle Obama relied on simple sentences (46%) in her speech as a strategy to convey her message clearly, directly, and emotionally to the audience, as well as complex sentences (25%) that showed moral contrast, while compound and compound-complex sentences unified the persuasive narrative and call to action. In terms of sentence patterns, linking verbs (22%) and monotransitive verbs (20%) support the construction of abstract concepts of hope and unity, and their use also reinforces direct calls to action. Our findings confirm that syntactic structure not only shapes grammatical meaning, but also effectively enhances political rhetoric. In addition, when combined with rhetorical devices or methods such as rules of three, the use of syntactic clarity strengthens ‘ethos, pathos, and logos’ in Michelle Obama's speeches. This study suggests that the success of persuasive speech depends heavily on the speaker’s skill in addressing the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of the audience.