A Critical Discourse Analysis of Joe Biden Speech Announcing Response to Russia Actions in Ukraine

Abstract

This study aims to describe a CDA of Joe Biden's speech announcing the U.S. response to Russian actions in Ukraine. The method in this study using qualitative description to investigate the subject brought up by CDA in Joe Biden’s speech. This research using Van Dijk’s theory for analyse the sentences.The speech is meticulously structured to convey the seriousness of the situation, justify the U.S. response, and emphasize unity and readiness. The microstructure analysis highlights key themes: Russian aggression, U.S. sanctions, NATO coordination, military measures, economic considerations, diplomacy, and future steps. The superstructure comprises three parts: an introduction setting the context of Putin’s actions, a detailed section outlining responses and measures, and a conclusion emphasizing unity and readiness. Semantic elements provide context details and nominalization to present complex actions concretely. Syntactically, the speech uses declarative sentences, logical coherence, and anaphoric references. Stylistically, it reveals strong emotive language, technical precision, and engaging expressions. Rhetorically, it employs vivid descriptions, metaphorical language, and specific numbers. The microstructure elements work together to communicate the gravity of the situation and the U.S. response. The research findings contain 7 sentences of macrostructure, 3 sentences of superstructure, 10 sentences of microstructure.This analysis demonstrates how the speech's structure and language persuade and inform, reinforcing unity and preparedness.