LANGUAGE STYLE USED IN THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW

THESIS


Presented to
The state Islamic University Maulana Malik Ibrahim of Malang
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of sarjana sastra (S.S.)




H O S E N
05320134



Advisor:
Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M.Pd
NIP 197110142003122002
















ENGLISH LETTERS AND LANGUAGE DEPARMENT
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND CULTURE
THE STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
MAULANA MALIK IBRAHIM OF MALANG
2010
SPEECH STYLE USED IN THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW



THESIS




H O S E N
05320134

























ENGLISH LETTERS AND LANGUAGE DEPARMENT
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND CULTURE
THE STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF
MAULANA MALIK IBRAHIM OF MALANG
2010

APPROVAL SHEET



This is to certify that Hosen thesis entitle
Speech Style Used in the Oprah Winfrey Show
Has been approved by the thesis advisor
For further approval by the board examiner

Approved by, Acknowledged by
The Advisor, The Head of the English Letters
and Language Department,




Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M. Pd




Galuh Nur Rohmah, M. Pd. M. Ed
NIP 197 110 142 003 121 001 NIP 197 402 111 998 03002


The Dean of
The Faculty of Humanity and Culture
The State Islamic University Maulana Malik Ibrahim of Malang




Drs. K.H. Chamzawi, SH
NIP 195 108 091 984 031 002








THESIS LEGITIMATION SHEET


This is to certify that the Sarjana thesis of Hosen entitled Speech Style
Used in the Oprah Winfrey Show has been approved by the board of examiners as
the requirement for the degree of Sarjana Sastra (S.S) in The State Islamic
University Maulana Malik Ibrahim of Malang.



The board of examiners Signature



1.Drs. H. Djoko Susanto, M.Ed, Ph.D (Main Examainer)
NIP. 196705292000031001




________________




2. Ika Fariha Hentihu, M.Pd (Chairperson)
NIP.197003071999032002





________________



3. Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M. Pd (Advisor)
NIP. 197110142 003121001





________________

Malang, 18
th
of April 2010


Approved by
The Dean of Humanity and Culture Faculty




Drs. K.H. Chamzawi, M.HI
NIP 195108091984031002

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


In the name of Allah SWT, the most gracious and the most merciful. First
of all, I would like to say my deepest gratitude unto our God Allah SWT, who has
blessed and given me inspiration to finish this thesis. May Sholawat and Salam
always be given to our prophet Muhammad SAW who has brought Islam as
Rahmatan Lil Alamiin.
First of all, my sincere gratitude goes to Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M. Pd
as the advisor, who has consciously guided me throughout the entire process of
the thesis writing with all of the constructive comments which helped me to make
thesis more perfect.
Likewise, my sincere gratitude goes to the Rector of UIN Malang, Prof.
Dr. H. Imam Suprayogo, the Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Culture, Drs.
KH. Chamzawi, M. Hi., the Head of English Letters and Language Department,
Galuh Nur Rohmah, M. Pd.M.Ed, who has given valuable knowledge during my
study I the State Islamic University Maulana Malik Ibrahim of Malang.
Next, my thanks are also dedicated to all of the lecturers of the State
Islamic University of Malang, especially English Letters and Language
Department for being so kind, patient and generous in leading to the world which
I never know before with the invaluable knowledge.
Additionally, I want to express my deepest thanks to my beloved family
for their continual moral and material supports, especially for my parents Ach
Moh. Dahri and Moginten for their endless love and pray whenever and wherever,
support and great motivation. All my beloved Brother and sister, Hasan , Siti
Hoiriyah, Sumarto, my Aunt Sumarah, my Uncle, Moh. Nur Thanks for loving
and supporting me in all of my decisions also thanks for inspiring me.
I also wish to express my thanks to my friends in sumbersari gg. 01
boarding house Mbak Reta. Adi Sutrisno Hamid, Abd Wafi, Choirul Rozi, Lutfi
Bakri, Abdur Rosid, sadili and Afif ,thanks for your support, help and pray.
Thanks a lot to PMII Rayon Ibnu Aqiel for showing me another side of
studying in college by Dzikir, Fikir, dan Amal Sholeh! Also for all friends in my
entire life (thank for learning).
Finally, I truly realize that his thesis still need the constructive criticisms
and suggestions from the readers in order to make it perfect and hopefully it can
be more useful for the readers, especially for the English Letters and Language
Department students.















Malang, 13
th
April 2009


Hosen
DEDICATION



This Thesis is dedicated to:



My beloved parents Moh. Dahri and Moginten who always
support my dreams.

My younger brother, Hasan, who always trusts me.

My advisor, Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M. Pd who always
supports me and has guided me to conduct this research.

My dearest friends of PKLI SMK Antartika 2 Sidoarjo, the
best friends I have.

My all best friends in the MSAA UIN Maulana Malik
Ibrahim Malang, all of members of Rayon Ibnu Aqil,
Komisarial PMII SA Malang and all members of Tae Kwon
Do UIN Maliki Malang










ABSTRACT

Hosen, 2010. Speech Style Used in The Oprah Winfrey Show. English Letters
and Language Department. The state Islamic University of Maulana
Malik Ibrahim of Malang.
Advisor : Drs. Langgeng Budianto, M.Pd
Key term : Language style, The Oprah Winfrey Show scripts, Obama and
Michelle language style


Language style is the tool of people use the language in different and
effective way in communication. It is kinds of written or oral language. Style is a
form of communication system it in own right. People use language in
communicate with other persons, to communicate means to transfer ideas from
one person to the others. One that determines how social interactions will
proceeds. In formal situation, may be taking with the leader, people may used a
casual word and grammar in order to make friendly situation. Considering the
significant role played by the language among society, this study is aimed to come
deeper to see what the language style which used by the speaker in his or her
intentions trough his or her utterance. The researcher views language style as
another part of linguistic studies that is closer to the study of language in used to
be the underlying on his study.
Accordance to those reasons, this study is aimed to find out what the
language Style Used in the Oprah Winfrey Show and what the dominant language
style used by the speaker. What make the study crucial to be completed was that
in the Oprah Winfrey show is many explanations in the conversation between the
host and the guest in the Oprah Winfrey show. This is appearing our interest to
know and recognize about the language styles, particularly in spoken forms,
which are used in the scripts of Oprah Winfrey show.
In conducting this research, the researcher uses descriptive qualitative
method because it analyzes the data in the form of word descriptively; the
researcher makes his self as the key instruments that collected the data form the
official website of Oprah Winfrey Show.
After analyzing the data, the researcher found that the host and the guest
mostly used the informal and formal language style. The next language style,
which is rarely used, is Colloquial style.
By reviewing this study, it can be concluded that in the public speaking,
the importuning used to be concerned does the way; we convey our feeling in
order to make a good and effective understand. The next researcher especially
should be able to come deeper to see the social setting that stands behind such
utterances in order to reach a perfect comprehension.
Finally, after finishing this research, the researcher hopes that this
research can give contribution to the researcher it self, to the reader, and to further
researchers who conduct the same research. Furthermore, the researcher suggests
to next researcher to study more complete research, especially in the same field.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Page
TITLE SHEET. i
APPROVAL SHEET.. ii
THESIS LEGITIMATION SHEET iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....... v
DEDICATION.... vi
MOTTO... vii
ABSTRACT.... viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.... ix

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study..... 1
1.2 Research problems....... 6
1.3 Purpose of the Study........... 6
1.4 Object of the Study............. 7
1.5 Significance of the Study 7
1.6 Scope and Limitation.................................. 8
1.7 devinition of the Key Term. 8
1.8 Organisation of the study.... 9
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The language Style.. 10
2.2 The element of Style .. 12
2.2.1 Diction 12
2.2.2 Imagery.. 13
2.2.3 Syntax.... 14
2.3 Classification of Language Style ... 17
2.3.1 The Formal Style... 17
2.3.2 The Informal Style 17
1.3.3 The colloquial Style . 18
2.4 the function of Language Style.. 18
2.5 The Used of Language Style.. 20
2.5 The technique of communication used by Oprah
Winfrey.
21
2.7 The informative language style.. 21
2.8 Previous study....

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD
3.1 Research Design.. 23
3.2 Data Source. 23
3.3 Research Instrument 24
3.4 Data Collection.... 24
3.5Triangulation 27
3.6. Data Analysis. 27

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Data Analysis........... 39
4.2 The result of data analysis... 86
4.3 Discussion... 39

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion... 89
5.2 Suggestion... 90

BIBLIOGRAPHIES
APPENDIXS



















CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the background of the study, problems of the study,
objectives of the study, scope and limitation of the study, significances of the
study, definition of the key terms and organization of the study.

1.1. Background of the Study
Language has a very important function in humans life. People use
language in to share idea, information, and knowledge. Moreover, people have
their own styles to express what they want to share. As we know, nobody speaks
the same style event though he/she speaks the same language. Thus, actually
speech style makes one person different from other person.
According to Chaika (1982:29) style form a communication system in its
own right one that determines how a social interaction will proceed at all if it is
continue, style tells how, whether formally or informally. Style may also tell
listener how to take what is being said: seriously, ironically, humorously,
dubiously, or in some other way. Speech style can be called way to express
something related to the language that someone uses in communication to the
other it can be in the form of oral and written style of language involve choose
meaner of expressing and pattering of choices opinion and selecting form in order
to convey what the researcher want to express.
From Chaika statement, we understand that styles are the way how the
people convey the message. The style tells us about the speaker's means, such as,
seriously, humorously, ironically, or in some ways. Sometimes with smile and
sometimes laugh loudly, it means that he wants to convey the message
humorously and indicates informality and it happens among close friends.
According to Joos (1976:145), speech style here means the form of
language that the speaker use. Speech style is influenced by the social factors. The
speech style, which is used by a person, is different from his or her partner speech
style because they may have different status, sex, age, social distance, occupation.
These differences have an important rule in deciding the kind of speech style that
people use while he or she communicates with others. For example; the higher the
social status of the partner in a communication, the more formal speech style he or
she uses. Another thing that also has an important rule in deciding the kinds of
speech style is the setting where the conversation takes place. In a formal
conference, for example; it is not polite if we use casual style, such as; slang
because the conversation take place in the formal atmosphere.
Language is a complex system of meaningful vocal symbols (Yule, 1985:
64). Some linguists claim that although animals have a means to communicate
among their groups but it does not belong to language because of several reasons.
Firstly, animals language cannot develop like what humans have. Linguists,
therefore, agree that animals do not have language but they have only sign that
is used to interact among their groups. Secondly, other groups of animal cannot
learn and produce the others language while human can speak more that one
language. Lastly, several studies have been conducted to examine whether animals
have language or not, but the results prove that they can not speak like human. For
example, an experiment on chimpanzees, linguists have taught them language, but
they can only speak what they have heard and can not develop it. In conclusion,
they can only imitate
The use of language is not for communication only, but also it is used for
other purposes (Chaika, 1982:30). Some people, moreover, use language to
achieve and reach an intention. Politicians use language to influence others
opinion to create an agreement or support what they say and act or perhaps to
control their power. A president, for instance, uses language in speeches to
persuade and convince people that he or she is qualified to be the next president
and what he or she asserts about some issues is true based on his or her
arguments.
Akinson and Ajirotutu (in Gumperz, 1982:119) said: We then go on to
compare the responses of two candidates to a similar set of interview question:
speech style expectation, content, and underlying pattern. As leech (1981:10),
states that style refer to the way in which language is used in given context, by
given person, for given purpose. In the communication, we have the way to
communicate with other people. It depend on context, which whom we speech,
and what is the function of our speech soon.
Allah SWA in his holy Quran Surah Ar-rum (Ar- Ruum: 22) has stated.
_. ...,, _l> ,...l _ . l.> ...l >.l | _ ,l : .,
_,.l.-ll __

Meaning: And among his sign is the creation of the heaven and the earth
and the variation on your language and your color is the verily
in that are signs for those who know. (Ar- Ruum: 22)

This research focuses on the speech style used by the host and the guest in
the Oprah Shows transcripts, the researcher chooses speech style for his thesis
because speech style is important to use in communication. Using speech style
people can differentiate to whom they want to speak which is appropriate with
situation, function and of norm of social context. The researcher is interested in
the study of speech style used in The Oprah Winfrey Show for a number of
reasons. Firstly, the researcher interested in investigating talk show program
because language in talk show is produced in different styles reflecting social
context. Social context can be formal, casual, consultative, frozen, and intimate. In
addition, language in talk show program can make the listener easier to
understand about the topic. Secondly, the language used in The Oprah Winfrey
Show is unique. The host in this program in this case is Oprah Winfrey can
adjust her style to the topic and situation. Therefore, she makes the situation alive,
very friendly, and not awkward. Lastly, the guests and the participants in the
program have their own different social background, which mean that this
program consists of president and actor. The Oprah Winfrey show channel can be
found every country for example; United State, Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia
and many more (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34050109/ns/entertainment-
television/).
Actually, speech style has been conducted by some researcher but in
different method and object of each study. For example, Anna Mu'minatus
Zuhriyah (2002), under the title " A Study on Nurse' Language Styles and Their
Implications to Patients' Psychological Development in dr. Syaiful Anwar
Hospital Malang, which describes the kinds of the language styles used by nurses
in dr. Syaiful Anwar Hospital of Malang. In carrying their patients and their
relationship to the patients psychological development. In addition, the study also
talks about the reason of the nurses in using the language styles to their patients.
Sri Ratnawati (2004) thesis under the title "A Study on The Language Styles used
in Advertisement in news week Magazine" which describes the kinds of' the
language styles used in advertisement, and the contexts of the language styles
used in advertisement.
Moreover, Sulis Masudah (2008) also studied the language style used by
the characters in Titanic movie. She found the used of speech style formal,
informal and colloquial style can be friendly impression in the speech and the
most dominant speech style most used by the main characters is formal language
style.
In the present study, the researcher discusses the Speech Style used by
Oprah Winfrey in the Oprah Show. In which focuses on the kinds of language
styles and the dominant speech style are used by the host and guest in the in the
Oprah Winfrey Show.

1.2. Problems of the Study
Based on the background of study presented above, this study is
undertaken to answer the following questions:
1. What are speech styles used by the host and the guest in the Oprah
Winfrey Show?
2. What are the dominant speech styles used by the host and the guest
in the Oprah Winfrey Show?
1.3. Objectives of the Study
In line with the problems stated above, the objectives of this study are
1. To identify the speech Styles used by the host and the guest in the Oprah
Winfrey Show
2. To identify the dominant speech styles used by the host and the guest in
the Oprah Winfrey Show

1.4 Significance of the Study
The researcher considers that this study will give valuable knowledge and
understanding for reader about speech style used in The Oprah Winfrey Show,
In this case, Oprah Winfrey uses speech style in order to make the show more
interesting. Moreover, this study will be used as example for other students who
are interested in studying about Speech style.
This study gives theoretical and practical contribution. Theoretically, this
study contributes to give more knowledge about speech style in daily
conversation. Practically, it will give useful not only to student of English
department but also to all reader of this study and especially to concern with
language styles used by the host and guest in the Oprah Winfrey Show.

1.5 Scope and Limitation
This study focuses on the use of general types of speech style, namely: be
formal, casual, consultative, frozen, and intimate. The researcher limits to this
research to the language styles which are used by the host (Oprah Winfrey) and
the guest President of America (Barrack Obama and his wife Michelle ) beside
that, the researcher does not analyze all of the utterance of Oprah Winfreys
utterance, Obama and his wifes. However, he just takes some utterances of them.
The analyses of the researcher is not totally true or right because it just
prediction according the theory, maybe it will different purpose from the script
researcher purpose.

1.6. Definition of the Key Term
1. Speech style
Speech style is the form that the speaker used which is usually
measured along a formal, informal, humor, ironic and serious.
2. Formal style
Formal style is a style that is General used in formal situation, for
example in Graduation ceremony and it is typically used in
speaking to medium or large Group.
3. Informal Style
Informal style is permitting certain abbreviations and delectations
not permitted in formal speech, are also rule governed.
4. Ironic Style
Irony is typically used to complain to or criticize intimates, who are
usually hearers of the remarks. Hearers' reactions to both sarcastic and
directly stated remarks with comparable content were explored, and
remarks expressing trivial and serious complaints, occurring in
conversations between same-sex best friends, were compared.
5. Humor Style
Humor is identical with laughter because it has the funny stimuli
that can make people laugh. The stimuli, here, not limited, but they
have a broad range
7. Oprah Winfrey
The most popular and reach women presenter in America, doing
interview with low class until upper class (http/www. Oprah
Winfrey\awartikel-279-Success_Story-Oprah_Winfrey.htm)


8. The Oprah Winfrey Show
Most popular talk show around the world, its channel TV 145
countries worldwide and watched by an estimated 42 million viewers
a week in the U.S. alone. In addition, the host is Oprah Winfrey .She
defining culture movement, music, art, fashion, movies, celebrities,
government etc.
(Httpwww.msnbc.msn.comid34050109nsentertainment-television)

1.8. Organization of the Study
This study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one is introduction.
Chapter two is the review of the related theory.. Chapter three is the methodology.
After that, the finding and analyzing are put in chapter four. Finally, the
conclusion is chapter five.


CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter presents several theories dealing with the issues being
investigated in this study. These theories include such the speech style, the
classification of speech style, the functions of speech style, the use of speech
style, the informative speech style, the technique of communication in the Oprah
Winfrey Show and previous study.

2.1 The Speech Style
Chaika (1982:29) stated that style refers to the selection of the linguistics
forms to convey social or artistic effects. Style also acts as a set of instructions.
We manipulate others with style, even as we are manipulated our selves, usually
unconsciously. Moreover,style may also tells listeners how to take what is being
said: seriously, ironically, humorously, or in some other ways. Often when the
style of an utterance contradicts the meaning of the word and grammar, the style is
believed. Style also tells us how to interpret messages. Therefore, styles form mini
communication system that works a long with language itself.
Based on Chaikas statement, we understand that styles are the way that
the people convey the messages, because we know that someone says something,
it means informal or formal. The style tells us about the speaker's means, such as,
seriously, humorously, ironically, or in some ways. Sometimes with smile and
sometimes laughs loudly, it means that he wants to convey the message
humorously and indicates informality and it happens among close friends.
Moreover, Thomas and Wareing (1999: 146) stated that there are some
ways people use speech style in communication. People possess themselves in
relation to other with the way that they talk in different kinds of interaction.
People do not always talk in exactly the same way all the time: they do not always
use the same grammatical forms. It means speech style that people use in
communication can be controller during conversations through tone of voice,
choosing words and grammar in different situation themselves.
According to Joos (1976:145) the speech style here means the form of
language that the speaker uses. Speech style is influenced by the social factors.
The speech style, which is used by a person, is different from his or her partner
speech style because they may have different status, sex, age, social distance,
occupation. These differences have an important rule in deciding the kind of
speech style that a person uses while he or she communicates with others. For
example; the higher the social status of the partner in a communication, the more
formal speech style he or she uses. Another thing that also has an important rule in
deciding the kinds of speech style is the setting where the conversation takes
place. In a formal conference, for example; it is not polite if we use casual style,
such as; slang because the conversation take place in the formal atmosphere.
The style of language in a communication mainly focused on intended
social message rather than only get the message of communication Chaika (1982:
29) stated that the communication occurred the messages, so they are conveyed by
intonation or inflection and are given by style. Actual words are used only on the
rare occasions that the offending party is too abuse to get "the message". It must
be emphasized that the social message conveyed by style is not coded directly into
actual words that mean what intended social message is. It means that using
speech style must determine the purpose of communication. One of them is
abusing to get the message, because in a society, there are so many persons who
have different kind of characteristics. So, using style was hoped without
disturbing others either partially or personally.
Therefore, Chaika (1982:31) said that speakers give a great deal of
information about themselves just by the words, grammar, and pronunciation they
choose both unconsciously and consciously. Therefore, the listeners have same
interpretation with speaker's style, but the information reveals to the hearer such
as the speaker's social or educational background, and regional affiliation. The
style markers of a particular social group or region may be deliberately used for
other purposes; it will make the listeners have some meaning of word such as
emotional definitions they can be attached from style of speaker.
In conclusion, speech style as the way people manipulates to other and
control people in interacting to others bring the messages that are conveyed in
words and tone of voice. The characteristics of speech style are: selection or
choices of linguistics forms appear from a person or group of people.
2.2 Speech styles according to Chaika (1982: 29)
Chaika Said styles tell how, whether formally or informally. Style may
also tell to listeners how to take what is being said: seriously, ironically,
humorously, or in some other ways.
1. Formal Style
Formal style is a style that is designed to inform: its dominating
characters. Something that is necessarily ancillary in consultation,
incidental in casual discourse. Absent in intimacy. Joos, (1976:156).
2. Informal Style
Informal style is permitting certain abbreviations and delectations not
permitted in formal speech, are also rule governed. For example,
questions are often shortened whit you subject and auxiliary deleted.
Running the Marathon? You running marathon? Fromkin.V, Blair. D
and Collin, (2002: 420).
3. Seriously Style
Serious style is used to attempt to introduce a serious point in a less
serious conversation
Now, seriously, why did the chicken cross the road?

4. Ironic Style
Irony is typically used to complain to or criticize intimates, who are
usually hearers of the remarks. Hearers' reactions to both sarcastic and
directly stated remarks with comparable content were explored, and
remarks expressing trivial and serious complaints, occurring in
conversations between same-sex best friends, were compared. Overall, the
results show that sarcasm can serve a face-saving function, making the
speaker appear less rude and unfair, particularly when expressing a trivial
criticism; humor contributes little to this face-saving (Jorgensen J., 1996:
613-634)
5. Humor Style
Humor is identical with laughter because it has the funny stimuli that
can make people laugh. The stimuli, here, not limited, but they have a
broad range. It means that people laugh not only at verbal jokes and
written document but also at caricatures, silent films, political cartoons,
talking films and even at some happening, such as a monkey dancing or
a person tripping falling down from stairs. People laugh at those funny
things mentioned above or other kinds of stimuli because they have
already had the knowledge from their family, groups, and culture that
those stimuli are worth laughing. But we do not just laugh. We laugh
something. Humor not just a feeling inside of us; it is not like a pain. It
is not like happy pain. Humor is something we thing about that make us
laugh. It must involve thought. If there is not though, there is not
humor. Nothing is in itself funny. If there were no people in the world,
nothing would be funny. We make things serious. We have found
ourselves out. As example, in this short text joke: what are tarts made
of? Pepper mostly. Said the cook. The tarts sound good dont they-
if one is a sneeze. (Carroll, 1960: 106).

2.3 The Speech Styles According to Martin Joos (1976)
According to Joos, speech style means the form of Language that a
speaker user and it is characterized by the degree of formality, such as
frozen style, formal style, consultative style, casual style, and intimate
style. Style May be called higher or lower in referring to the meaning of
communication. The speaker may use higher or both lower style at the
same time.

1. Frozen Style
Frozen style is style, which is intended to be remembered and used
in a very formal setting Such as in palace, church ritual. Speech for state
ceremony, and some other occasions, this style involves very large group
of people whose members are unknown n to one another. However, this
style is not only addressed to strangers at that time but also to posterity as
well. Nevertheless, the readers or the hearers are not permitted giving
question to the speaker. Therefore, background information of conversation
may be given hut. It is not required. Frozen style is the highest rank in Jooss
classification. This is usually used in long sentence with good grammatical and
vocabulary. Frozen style is more elaborated than any other styles. Based on the
characteristics above, frozen style requires high skills and is almost used
exclusively by specialist, professional orators, lawyers and preachers. For
example: "It should be glad to the informed of the correct time
(Joos,1976:15).
2. Formal Style
Formal style is a style that is designed to inform: its dominating
characters. Something that is necessarily ancillary in consultation, incidental in
casual discourse. Absent in intimacy Joos, (1976:156).
According to Joos formal style is generally used in a formal situation,
where there is the least amount of shared background knowledge and where
communication is one way communication with little or no feedback from the
audiences, for example in graduation ceremony which belong to medium or
large groups. However, it may be used in speaking to a single hearer, for
example between strangers. Formal style is design to inform in complex
sentences and needs background information because the speaker needs
preparation in using this style. The leading code label of this style is the word
"May", e.g. "May I present Mr. Jimmy? The example of this style is "I should
like to know the time please"(Joos, 1976: 154).
3. Consultative Style
According to Martin Joos (1976: 154), consultative style is a style that
shows our norm for coming, to terms with strangers who speak our language
but whose personal stock of information may be different.
Consultative style is a style that is used in semi-formal communication
situation. This style is a type, which is required from all speakers. Moreover,
consultative style is the usual style 01' speech in small groups, chance
acquaintances, and strangers. Example: that is right, Oh! I see, Yeach,
Yes, I know or well.
4. Casual Style
Casual style is style, which is used between friends and non formal situation,
such as; when the students have a chat outside class room. The form of
sentence in this style is usually shot. The vocabulary in this style is most
influenced by dialect. There is absence of background information and the
listeners are assumed to understand what the speakers say in this style. Casual
style is the style we used to integrate an audience into social group. Joos
(1976:155) example: I believe that I can find one (consultative grammar)
believe I can find one (casual grammar)

5. Intimate Style
Intimate style is an intimate utterance pointedly avoids giving, the
addressed information outside of the speaker's skin Joss (1976: 155).
Therefore, intimate style is completely private language used within family
and wry closed friends. Normally, the intimate Style is used in pair.
There are two systematic features of intimate style, first is extraction.
The speaker extracts a minimum pattern from sonic conceivable casual
sentence (Joos, 1970:I5). Example the utterance "eng
-
, it is an empty word.
There is no dictionary meaning but serves as

a code label for intimate style.
Intimate style needs no slang and no background information. The message
cannot he recreated because there is no message to recreate. Means, the
thought is communicated and the addressee extracts the full meaning from it.
The second feature of intimate style is jargon. Jargon is technical vocabulary
associated with special activity or group.

2.3 The Classification Speech Style
Victoria (in Masudah 2008:12) stated that nearly every body has at lest an
informal and a formal style. In an Informal style the rules of contraction are used
more often, the syntactic rules of negation and agreement may be altered, and
many words are used that do not occur in the formal style.
From Victoria statement, many speakers have the ability to use a number
of different styles, ranging between the two extremes of formal and informal.
Speakers of minority styles sometimes display virtuosi ability to slide back and
forth a long a continuum of styles that may range from the informal patterns
learned.
However, Trudgill (1974: 17) said that nothing in principle to do with
differences between formal and colloquial language or with concepts such as bad
language". The colloquial is as well as 1ormal variants and speakers as much as
others are.
From the statement above, it is worth to point this out, because many
people appear to believe that if someone uses slang expressions or informal turns
of phrase. It is also the variety that is normally spoken by educated people and
other similar situations.
Furthermore, Schneider's (in Wellek and Austin, 1956: 179) said that
classifications can be applied to practically all linguistic utterances, but obviously
most of the evidence is drawn from works of literature and directed to an analysis
of literary style. Thus conceived, stylistics seems to have found the right mean
between the old disjointed study of figures based on the classifications of rhetoric
and the more grandiose but less concrete speculations on period styles.
Moreover, Boas (in Landar, 1966: 135) stated that when languages are in
contact, borrowing in linguistic elements often takes place. Controversies have
arisen and persist about whether and to what extent phonemes, morphemes, or
grammatical rules can be borrowed or diffused from one language to another.
Boas observed that when we can identify borrowed elements we learn something
about cultural history; indeed, the history of language reflects the history of
culture. However, we do not always have the good records of language contact.
Gleason (1961: 451) stated that language could be classified only based on
direct and uncontrolled comparisons of vocabulary often poorly recorded.
This means that our present ideas of language classification must be considered as
nothing more than tentative and relationships are concerned, because the
relationship can be remote, the most powerful applied to be related at a certain
level.
Another opinion from Gleason (1961: 454) said that for every language
and major dialect, there would be needed at least the following: a summary of the
phonology and morphology; a vocabulary of, say, several thousand words; a small
body of recorded texts together with translation into sonic better- known
language" a statement of where and by whom the language is spoken, and the
name by which it is called by it's speakers and the neighboring peoples. With this
much information, a definition listing, and classification of language could be
made.

2.4 The Functions Speech Style
Chaika (1982: 29) said that the speakers give a great deal of information
about themselves just by the words, grammar, and pronunciation they choose both
unconsciously and consciously. This information reveals to the hearer such things
as the speakers social as educational background, and regional affiliation. The
style markers of a particular social group or region may be deliberately used for
other purposes.
It means that using speech style must determine the purpose of
communication. One of them is using to get the message, because in a society,
there are so many persons who have different kinds of characteristic. Using style
was hoped without distributing others either partially or personally.
Hymes (In Wardhaugh, 1986: 117) stated that the way in which people
view the language they speak is also important, that is, how they evaluate accents,
how they establish the act that they speak one language rather than is another; and
how they maintain language boundaries. Moreover, rules for using a language
may be just as important as feelings about the language itself.
Trudgill (1974; 14) stated that the two aspects of language behaviors are
very important from a social point of view: First, the function of language in
establishing social relationships; and second, the role-played by language in
conveying information about the speaker. From this statement, it is clear that both
these aspects of linguistics behavior are reflections of the fact that there is a close
inter-relationship between language and society.
Mathiot and Garvin, 1975 (In Wardaugh, 1986: 31) stated that the
language function is units individuals and groups within a larger community while
at the same time separating the community that results from other communities.
Therefore, it can be employed to reflect and symbolize some kind of identity:
regional, social, ethnic, or religious.
However, Trudgill (1974:24) said that the speakers are aware of the social
significance of' pronunciation and their attitudes towards it are favorable because
of their social attitudes .It means, that the language styles can be a very important
factor in group identification, group solidarity and the signaling of differences,
and when a group is under attack from outside, signals of difference may become
more important and are exaggerated.
Furthermore Chaika (1982: 36- 37) said that using style carried a long with
a greeting and conversational message is more efficient than having to encode that
information at the ousted or continually during conversation
So, the function of speech style is often used to tell hearer how to take the
messages given by words: seriously, humorously, as sarcasm, as the something
the speakers are happy or sad about, or in some other ways. Moreover, to control
for one style that must choose, in order to correct of the styles and the way we try
to control others.

2.5 The Technique of Communication Used Oprah Winfrey
Chaika (1982: 31) stated that speaker gives great deal of information about
themselves just by the words, grammar, and pronunciation. They choose both
unconsciously and consciously. This information reveals to the hearer such thing
the speaker is a social or educational background and regional affiliation.
Furthermore, Oprah Winfrey stated that communication techniques are the
ways or arts to bet messages which communicator. Therefore, it can turn up some
effect to communicant. From statement above, we can infer that the
communication is to hold role of sending the message or instruction to other
people or group. The communicant is given the same meaning with symbols they
use. Because this technique of communication is to show more attractive, educate
and enjoyable.

2.6 Previous Study
There are some previous studies which may have relevant discussion with the
present study, such as Anna Mu'minatus Zuhriyah (2002), her thesis " A Study on
Nurse' Language Styles and Their Implications to Patients' Psychological
Development in dr. Syaiful Anwar Hospital Malang, describes the kinds of the
language styles used by nurses in dr. Syaiful Anwar Hospital of Malang in
carrying their patients and their relationship to the patients psychological
development. In addition, the study also talks about the reason of the nurses in
using the language styles to their patients. However, Sulis Masudah (2008) her
thesis language Styles Used in Titanic Film describes speech style are used by
the actor by titanic film, and the most dominant speech style used by the actor of
titanic film. . She found the use of speech style formal, informal and colloquial
style can be friendly impression in the speech and the most dominant speech style
most used by the main actors is formal language style.
In this study, the researcher discusses the speech styles in the Oprah
Winfrey Show focusing on the speech style used by the host and guest in the
Oprah Winfrey Show.


CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
This chapter presents the research methods which include research design,
, data sources, research instruments, data collection, triangulation and data
analysis.

3.1 Research Design
The researcher uses qualitative approach since it deals with the data in the
form of the dialog between the hosts and guest, this study also considered as a
descriptive study because it transcripts words.
This study is classified into a descriptive qualitative since the data are in
the form of utterances. The data are analyzed descriptively based on transcripts in
the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Descriptive qualitative method is appropriate design in conducting this
study, which is aimed at describing speech style constructed in Oprah and her
guest. This method is flexible to answer the statement of the problems offered in
the first chapter. Besides, the data are interpreted and displayed descriptively and
systematically based on the supporting theory.

3.2 Data Source
The source of the data in this study is Oprah Winfrey; it is one of the most
famous talk show in the United State or in the world. The host is Oprah Winfrey;
it broadcasted all of around the world. It also published in Indonesia television as
like METRO TV. However, the researcher found Oprah Winfrey Show in the
www. You tube. com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhCsPxJApik), transcript
(http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Michelle-Obamas-Oprah-Interview-O-
Magazine-Cover-with-Obama/10 ) to more easy and choosing the best episode
programs.

3.3 Research Instrument
The key instrument of this study is the researcher himself because the
researcher as the point of people who want to finds the research problems itself.
The researcher observes and takes an active participant in this research by finding
the accurate data. Besides, the researcher also uses observation to be more
systematic, effective, and easier. Nasution in (Masudah, 2008: 22) said that in
conducting qualitative research, there is no choice except human being as the
main instrument. It is because the qualitative research, not all of the problems are
clear yet. The research focus, research procedures, hypothesis uses, even the
expected result could not be ensured before.

3.4 Data Collection
The researcher collects the data by assessing the official website of Oprah
Winfrey show. The data of this research are collected trough the process as
follow:
First, the researcher watches and collected the Oprah Winfrey Show from
accessing the internet. Beside, the researcher reads the article related to this study
to get a complete study and understand of both the Oprah Winfrey Show and
language style.
Second, the researcher selects the Oprah Winfrey Show and then chooses
the best show according to the researcher. The next steps, the researcher looking
for transcripts to be more easy and correct. Then analysis the language styles in
the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Finally, the researcher classifies the data based on Martin Joos theory of
speech style















STEP I
Collecting the object study from in the www.
Youtube.com and The Oprah winfrey
STEP II
Finding the particular of the study
STEP III
Reading and choosing the sentence that contains of
Speech style in the Oprah Winfrey Show transcripts
STEP VI
Drawing conclusions

STEP V
Selecting and underlining the sentence that is involve
Speech Styles

STEP VI
Speech Style. Formal Style, Informal Style,
Humor Style, Ironic Style and Serious Style


Data collection
Process

3.5 Triangulation
To check validity of the data, the researchers choose the triangulation.
Densin (in Moleong, 2005; 331) identified several types of triangulation, those
are: (1) data source of triangulation; it involve the coverage of data form the
multiple data source (2) methodological triangulation: it involves the coverage of
multiple data collection procedure, and (3) investigation of triangulation; it
involves multiple research in an investigation.
In this study, the researcher uses data source and methodological
triangulation. The function of using data source and methodological triangulation
is to get reliability of the data. This study involves the main sources and
secondary sources so it is called as a data sources triangulation. The main sources
in the study are the transcripts of Oprah Winfrey Show. The secondary source is
the informant. The researcher tries to recheck the result of the study by
interviewing informant. Further, it is called methodological triangulation because
the researchers read the subtitle of Oprah Winfrey show and interview the
informant in analyzing the data.
3.6 Data analysis
After collecting the data, the researcher analyzed them. In this study, the
researcher does some procedures to get a data analysis. Firstly, the researcher
identified all utterances of the dialogue that has found into each speech style based
on Chaikas theory of speech style (1982:29) and the definition the kinds of
speech style take from others (Joos (1976:156), Fromkin.V, Blair. D&Collin
(2002: 420), Jorgensen. J. (1996: 613-634) and Carroll (1960: 106)) because
there are not clear definition from the Chaika it self . After that, the researcher
identifying how the way speech style used by the host and guests in the Oprah
Winfrey Show. The last step is making conclusion based on the analysis.

CHAPTER IV

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

In this chapter, the researcher describes the research results based on the
analysis of the classification of speech style
4.1 Data Analysis
The data used in this study are taken from the Oprah Winfrey show. Not
all scripts are analyzed style but it takes only the dialogues or the conservations
involving the speech style.

OPRAH TALKS TO MICHELLE OBAMA
The Exclusive Interview


OPRAH: I had heart palpitations coming through the White House gate,
recognizing that this really is now your home. It is the White
House, and it is your home.

Oprah began her speech to Michelle Obama. She explained and
emphasized the function of White House. From the first utterance of the Oprah, it
is dominated by explanations showing her serious opening. The sentence it is your
home is ironic utterance, actually the White House is not house of Michelle
Obama, but it belongs to American because the White House is the office of all
American government.

MICHELLE OBAMA: And it is a beautiful home. When you go out and
come back, especially at night, with all the white lights on it is just
beautiful. We feel privileged and we feel a responsibility to make it
feel like the people's house. We have the good fortune of being able to
sleep here, but this house belongs to America.

The Michelle Obamas utterance above is formal style. Michele above
described beautiful environments of the White House with the white light, she
explains how beautiful when she goes and backs in the night, she is very happy
and proud because not all American can live there, but she has responsibility to
keep the house as it belongs to all American. The word but this house belongs to
America is statement that the White House is not belong to her her self as Oprah
said bellow.

OPRAH: Youre saying that makes me feel different than I've ever felt about the
White House. When you say that, I actually do now, for the first time,
think, "Yeah, it is the people's house." How did you come to
understand that so clearly?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Well, I had some time to think about it, because we ran
for so long...
OPRAH: The longest run any bodies ever seen.

The utterance it is the peoples house is considered informal speech style,
which is short and simple. There are some abbreviations like youre, Ive and the
word yeah
Moreover, Oprah stated her utterance seriously. When Michelle said about
the house that is belong to American people, Oprah feels different that the
utterance of this house belongs to America, it makes Oprah confused, so she asks
Michelle to clarify her utterance.
MICHELLE OBAMA: Right. And at some point, you start thinking about
what living here would really mean. I've taken Barack's mantra: This
isn't about us. There's so much history here that no one family can
claim this space as their own.

Michelle above answers clearly from Oprahs question bellow. First of all
she talks the process why she can talk like her statement above. She
explains the history of the White House, so that there is no family who can
assume and claim that the white house belong to one of them. There's so
much history here that no one family can claim this space as their own.
OPRAH: I can't imagine what the inauguration was like for you. For me, it
felt like a moment in time that had been coming since time began.

From the above statement, the researcher sees that the sentence is an
informal speech style, there are only a few dependent clauses, which are short and
simple, and sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in the active
voice. No big words, no abstract words, no difficult phrases are used. In
addition, there are no rhetorical devices like metaphors.
The Oprah said that she could not imagine the inauguration, it shows that
she is amazed to inauguration moment.



MICHELLE OBAMA: I definitely sensed that, standing on the Capitol steps.
But I would love to see a tape of what was going on down on the Mall.
Because when you hear from people who were there, they talk about the
emotions and the calm and the fact that you had more than a million people
descending on this very small city with no incident, all love I long to know
that feeling as well.

The Michelles utterance is sense of standing in the capitol stair. She feels
proud when standing over there, and many people feel about emotional and silent
heart.

OPRAH: What was your prayer the night before you moved into the White
House?
MICHELLE OBAMA: That we stay whole as a family through this process.
And when Barrack and I talked, he said he wanted to get through the day
with everyone intact, everyone who attended. he said he would feel
good when every last visitor left safely. In addition, fortunately that
happened.

The first statement above uses formal speech style, the writer sees that the
answer and question below are about relationship between Michelle obama and
her family which always try to interact like what she said. He said he would feel
good when every last visitor left safely. In addition, fortunately that happened.
Barrack Obama has said that because he wants all to be safe in their position,
whether they come or will go, he wishes the situation will always be under
control.
Oprah and Michelle are involved in serious conversations talking about the
safety of the society. So, to convince her statements, Obama uses direct speech.



OPRAH: Weren't you freezing?
MICHELLE OBAMA: I was a little cube of ice. My coat had layers, but from
the legs down, I was cold. I would have loved to be wearing a pair of
warm, toasty boots.

From the Oprah and Michelle Obama utterance above, the utterance is
informal. The situation is relax. The first sentence explains the freezes question
from Oprah.
The conversation above shows between Oprah and Michelle used ironic
speech style I was a little cube of ice, which means that the situation actually is
not like cube of ice, it is just describing that the place is so freezing.

OPRAH: You pop over to the Oval Office?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Yes. I'll just pop over and say hi. And all of this this
being together as a family is what has made the transition easy. We
have each other, in a fundamental way.
OPRAH: What are weekends like?
MICHELLE OBAMA: We're still getting the kids' activities schedule
straight. They're trying to figure out what they want to do. Sasha has
played basketball

The conversations above are informal. All the sentences are short and most of
them are simple sentence, there are only a few dependent clauses. First Oprah
asks Michelle about pop over to the Oval Office. Then Michelle will do it and just
say hi and then she explains the weekend with her family and also feels their
transition live more easily, they always help one each others and they belong to
each others in everything.
The second utterance of Oprah and Michelle Obama talk about the
weekend, Michelle is very enthusiastic and gives free time for her children to play
basket ball.
OPRAH: She's coming up in the basketball tradition.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I know, Barack's losing his mind. I was like, "Settle
down don't act too excited, or she will not want to do it."

The first statement above used formal speech style. The answer and
question below are about relationship between Michelle Obama and her family.
They always try to interact I know, Barack's losing his mind. I was like, "Settle
down don't act too excited, or she will not want to do it."
The statements above are colloquial style. The speaker is already familiar
with the listener, so that the listener directly understands what the speaker mean.
From the utterance, the speaker wants to lead the listener.

MICHELLE OBAMA: I know.
OPRAH: When I asked her why, she said, "Because that's Michelle's
family."
MICHELLE OBAMA: My mom has some really wise approaches to family.
But there are times when we're like, "Mom, come down here."

This utterance is informal speech style, it is the peoples house. This
indicated by the use of short and simple sentence and abbreviation like youre,
Ive and the word yeah. Moreover, the first speaker is Oprah who stated her
utterance unseriously. She just replies what the first statement. When Michelle
said about the house which is belong to American people, Oprah feels different
Because that's Michelle's family it makes Oprah confusing, so she asks Michelle
to clarify her utterance.

OPRAH: She originally wanted her own apartment.
MICHELLE OBAMA: And I told her, "You can live right here and never
even see us if you don't want to!"
OPRAH: But there is a lot of room here.
MICHELLE OBAMA: Plenty of room. There are many times when she
drops off the kids, we hang out and talk and catch up, and then
she's like, "I'm going home." And she walks upstairs.

The Michelle Obamas utterance above is formal. Michele describes the
original apartement You can live right here and never even see us if you don't
want to! She explains how beautiful when she goes and backs to her home I'm
going home, she is very happy and proud because not all American can live there,
but she has responsibility to keep the house as it belongs to all Americans.

OPRAH: Like she's going across town. So she's adjusting well to living in
Washington?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Yes. She's made friends, she's had visitors, she's been
to the Kennedy Center more than I have. She was actually so busy
one weekend that she forgot to check my schedule. Then she thought,
"Well, maybe Michelle's going to need me Sunday." And I said,
"Actually, yeah, the first state dinner is Sunday. But we'll get a
babysitter. Don't worry." [Laughter.] Pretty soon she's going to
come and say, "You know, I can't pick those kids up, I've got so
much going on."

This utterance is considered informal because it is short and simple
sentence, there are some abbreviation like youre, Ive and the word yeah.
Moreover, Oprah stated her utterance usuriously. She just replies what the first
statement is. When Michelle said that the house belongs to American people,
Oprah feels different by saying she's adjusting well to living in Washington.
Michelle Obama in the humor situation, followed by laughing. Actually, yeah, the
first state dinner is Sunday. But we'll get a babysitter. Don't worry." [Laughter.]

OPRAH: What's it like to walk into a world where you have so many
people available to handle your every need? You've gone from doing
everything, managing your whole household, getting the kids off to
school, picking up your own cough syrup.

These sentences are informal speech style because all sentences are short
and most of them are simple sentence, there are only few dependent clauses which
are short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in
the active voice. All the words are familiar everyday words. No big words, no
abstract words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices
like metaphors and Contractions are generally used.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Going to Target...
OPRAH: Going to Target and now you walk into this world...

MICHELLE OBAMA: Where, if you want pie, there's pie. If something
breaks, it's fixed. In an hour. Look, I appreciate it.

The statements above are colloquial style and also informal speech style
like using contractions. The world chooses of the speaker is conversational and
familiar that make listener directly understand what the speaker means. From the
utterance, the speaker wants to lead the listener.

OPRAH: How many people are on the staff?
MICHELLE OBAMA: There are about 95 people who manage the residence.
But I want it to feel like home, so it's important for me to get to
know the people we work with, to be able to joke with them and
tease them.

From this statement above, the sentences are informal speech style. The
sentences are relative long, but do not use construction and it strives for absolute
grammatical assurance. In addition, the speaker stated his utterance seriously. The
speaker expresses his astonishment and tries to guest what actually happened to
the girl /Oprah she talked to.


OPRAH: Before you moved in, you said you wanted the girls to keep making
their own beds and doing chores. Is the staff on board with that?


The statements above used formal speech style since it said in the serious
situation. It used personal tone and extensive parallel structure. Oprah Winfrey
gave question to Michelle Obama about weekend in the white house.
The Michelle Obama gave a brief and truly and explaned everything she
wanted to know. In addition, the speakers tone of the language was personal,
noble, and serious because it is used in formal situation.


OPRAH: You can handle it!
MICHELLE OBAMA: I can handle it.
OPRAH: There's solidness about the girls a roundedness that speaks to the
great work you've done as a mother. What are you most proud of in terms of
raising them?

The statements above use informal speech style. All sentences are short
and most of them are simple sentence, there are only a few dependent clauses,
which are short.

MICHELLE OBAMA: It's that: that they're so steady. And that they're kind
to each other, and to other children. It's important to me that they have
empathy. I want them to be able to think, "Well, I could see how that
person feels and why that would hurt." And to make decisions not just
based on their own needs but on what's going on around them.

The utterance Michelle Obama above is informal speech style. From the
tone or style of the utterance above it is very simple, the sentence is not omplete
sentence, the effect of the sentence is not glorious

OPRAH: How are they with each other?
MICHELLE OBAMA: There is genuine love and affection. I'm big on the
idea that their sister is all each of them has. Even when they argue, I want
them to act with respect. I say, "Do you know how painful it is for a mother
to watch her two children, who she loves equally, arguing?" I say, "You don't
see it much, but the one or two times you've seen Dad and me disagree, you
started falling apart." And they get it.

The utterance Michelle Obama above is informal speech style. From the
tone or style of the utterance above they are very simple sentences that are short
and most of them are simple sentence. There are only a few dependent clauses,
which are short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs
are in the active voice. All the words are familiar everyday words. No big
words, no abstract words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical
devices like metaphors and Contractions are generally used.

4.3 The Result of Analysis
Script 1
The results of analysis are based on the research finding which identify the
dominant speech style used by the host and guest in the Oprah Winfrey dialogue.
The host and the guest (Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama) use informal,
formal, and colloquial speech styles. They produce forty tree times of informal
speech style, fifteen formal style and five times colloquial style.

OPRAH: When I was working at a news station in Baltimore, the manager
wanted me to change my name to Suzie. He said, "Nobody will ever
remember Oprah."

BARACK: I was told, "People will remember your name and won't like it."
You can have one African name, but not two. You can be Barack
Smith or Joe Obamabut not Barack Obama.

At the beginning of her speech to Obama, Oprah explained and emphasized
the name in Baltimore. This utterance is informal speech style because it is the
peoples house using short and simple sentence.
Moreover, Oprah stated her utterance usuriously. She just replies what the
first statement is. She said that You can have one African name, but not two.
You can be Barack Smith or Joe Obamabut not Barack Obama. Oprah feels
different that the utterance of this house belongs to America makes Oprah
confused. She asks Obama to clarify her utterance.

OPRAH: I think the name is working for you now.
BARACK: Absolutely. Yours turned out okay for you, too. So anyway, John
Kerry came to town for an event a few weeks after the primary. He
and Teresa and I were all sitting at the same table, and I gave a
speech before he didand I can talk pretty good! [He and Oprah
laugh.]
.

The statements above are informal speech style. The words chosen are
familiar and make the listener understand easily what the speaker means. From the
utterance, the speaker wants to lead the listener. Obamas utterances above show
that he can use humorous speech in the formal situation. He and Teresa and I
were all sitting at the same table, and I gave a speech before he didand I can
talk pretty good! [He and Oprah laugh.].


OPRAH: I remember the first time I got called to do The Tonight Show. I
was like, "My GodJohnny Carson!" We were jumping on the
tables. The convention was your Johnny Carson moment. Did you
dance a little hula?
BARACK: I said, "This will be big."
OPRAH: Did you start thinking about what you'd say?

BARACK: The best move I made was to begin writing the speech that night.
After I'd scribbled some notes, I wrote it in about three nights and
sent it to the Kerry staff
OPRAH: It was really smart to write it when it was flowing and hot.

The statements above are colloquial style. The words chosen are familiar
and make the listener understands what the speaker means. From the utterance,
the speaker wants to lead the listener
BARACK: Exactly. By the time the speech had been edited for length, I was
no longer particularly nervous. I was just making sure I didn't get up
on the podium, open my mouth, and have nothing come out.

The sentences above are informal speech style. The sentences are relative
long and do not use construction. In addition, the speaker stated his utterance
seriously. The speaker expresses his astonishment and tried to guest what actually
happened to the girl (Oprah) he talked to.

OPRAH: Did you rehearse?
BARACK: It turned out that there was a mock podium backstage where I
could practice. I'd never used a teleprompter before.

OPRAH: No? Get out!
BARACK: I usually speak extemporaneously.
OPRAH: Well, the speech was perfection.
BARACK: I appreciate that.
OPRAH [to Barack's wife, Michelle]: Were you nervous for him?

The statements above are colloquial style. The words chosen are familiar
and make listener understands directly what the speaker means. From the
utterance, the speaker wants to lead the listener.

MICHELLE: We're pretty low-key, but I was on the edge of my seat. He's a
terrific speaker; he delivers in so many high-pressure moments. My
question was: Will he really knock it out of the park? When he
walked out onstage, all those

OBAMA signs went up, and we just felt the energy of people being with us.
That's when I was like, "Yes, he's going to do this."

The sentences above are informal speech style because they are short and
simple. There are only a few dependent clauses, which are short and simple, too.
Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in the active voice. All the
words are familiar words. No big words, no abstract words, no difficult phrases.
In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like metaphors and Contractions are
generally used.

OPRAH: You could feel it. Barack, during the speech, there was a moment
when you locked in and got your rhythm. I said, "He's gone!"

BARACK: And it's in that moment that you know it's not just about you. It's
about the audience and their energy and their story being told
through you. The news coverage was very flattering. But the best
sign came when we were walking down the street in Boston and the
hotel doormen and the cops and the bus drivers were saying, "Good
speech."

The Obamas utterances above are informal speech style. From the tone or
style of the utterance above it is very simple, the sentence is not complete
sentence, and the effect of the sentence is not glorious.
MICHELLE: With the kids.
OPRAH: Isn't politics fun?
BARACK: Even in conservative Republican counties, 1,200 people would
just show up at 9 on a Sunday morning.

This utterance is informal speech style which talks about the peoples
house.which are short and simple. In addition, there are some abbreviations like
youre, Ive which show us that this utterance used informal sentence.
Oprah stated her utterance usuriously. She just replies what the first
statement is. When Obama said about the politics, Oprah feels different that the
utterance of this house belongs to America is making Oprah feel confused, so she
asks Michelle to clarify her utterance


OPRAH: Did that response solidify your message?
BARACK: It confirms the instincts that got me into politics. I believe the
American people are decent people. They get confused sometimes
because they get bad information or they're just busy and stressed
and not paying attention. But when you sit down and talk with them,
you're struck by how tolerant and loving they are.

The utterances above are informal speech style. From the tone or style of
the utterance they are serious. The sentence is long sentences, parallel
constructions, parenthetical remark, dependent clauses, passive voice, many big
words or learned words, words and phrases having abstract meanings, and
metaphors

OPRAH: Most people honestly want to do as well as they can in their lives.
BARACK: Exactly. They've got their struggles and heartaches, but they're
basically good.
OPRAH: What do you want to do with your politics?

The statements above are colloquial style. The words chosen are familiar
and make listener directly understands what the speaker means. From the
utterance, the speaker wants to lead the listener.

BARACK: Two things. I want to make real the American ideal that every
child in this country has a shot at life. Right now that's not true in
the aggregate. Of course, lightning can strike, and someone like you
or me can do well. But so many kids have the odds stacked so high
against them. The odds don't have to be that high. We can be sure
that they start with health insurance, that they have early childhood
education, that they have a roof over their heads, and that they have
good teachers. There are things we can afford to do that will make a
difference. Part of my task is to persuade the majority in this country
that those investments are worth it, and if we make better choices in
our government, we can deliver on that promise.

The utterances above are formal speech style. From the tone or style of the
utterance above it is very serious, the sentence is long, parallel constructions,
parenthetical remark, dependent clauses, the passive voice, many big words or
learned words, words and phrases having abstract meanings, and metaphors.
OPRAH: I think you are uniquely situated at this time. You know what?
When I went to Africa with Christmas gifts, my prime goal was to
show African children as happy and responsive and loving so that
people could see, "Oh, these children are just like my children."
When people see children with distended bellies and flies on their
eyes, they block it out and don't relate. When I got an e-mail from a
white South African lady saying, "For the first time, I realize these
children have birthdays," I thought, "We won."

The utterance above is informal style because the sentences are short and
most of them are simple sentence. There are only a few dependent clauses, which
are short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in
the form of active voice. All the words are familiar. No big words, no abstract
words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like
metaphors.
BARACK: That's great. I often say we've got a budget deficit that's
important, we've got a trade deficit that's critical, but what I worry
about most is our empathy deficit. When I speak to students, I tell
them that one of the most important things we can do is to look
through somebody else's eyes. People like bin Laden are missing that
sense of empathy. That's why they can think of the people in the
World Trade Center as abstractions. They can just crash a plane into
them and not even consider, "How would I feel if my child were in
there?"

The utterances above are informal speech style. The sentences are short
and most of them are simple sentence, there are only a few dependent clauses,
which are short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs
are in the form of active voice. All the words are familiar. No big words, no
abstract words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices
like metaphors and Contractions are generally used


OPRAH: We Americans also suffer from an empathy deficit, because we
often feel that the woman in Bosnia or Afghanistan who loses her
child is somehow different from us.

The sentences are informal speech style. The sentences are short and most
of them are simple sentence, there are only a few dependent clauses, which are
short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in the
form of active voice. All the words are familiar. No big words, no abstract
words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like
metaphors and Contractions.

BARACK: They become abstractions.

OPRAH: Would you define what you're doing as a new kind of politics? I
don't consider myself political, and I seldom interview politicians. So
when I decided to talk with you, people around me were like,
"What's happened to you?" I said, "I think this is beyond and above
politics." It feels like something new.

The sentences are informal speech style. The sentences are short and most
of them are simple sentence, there are only a few dependent clauses, which are
short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in the
active voice. All the words are familiar. No big words, no abstract words, no
difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like metaphors.

OPRAH: And the politicians themselves. That's why you didn't want to be
one.

BARACK: When I speak, the first thing I confront is people's cynicism. I
understand it. It seems like politics is a business and not a mission.
Some of our leaders have been long on rhetoric, short on substance
power is always trumping principle. That's why we withdraw into
our private worlds and lives, and we think politics can't address the
things that are most important to us. But the civil rights movement
was a political movement. The movement to give women the vote was
political. We are all connected as one people, and our mutual
obligations have to express themselves not only in our families, not
only in our churches, not only in our synagogues and mosques, but in
our government, too.

The utterances made by Obama above are informal speech style. From the
tone or style of the utterance above it is very simple, the sentence is not complete
sentence and the effect of the sentence is not glorious.


OPRAH: How do you actually get people to be more empathetic?
BARACK: Your story about South Africa was terrific. Images, actions, and
stories always speak the loudest. That's why I see my book as part of
my politics. And I'll write more books. Policy has to be guided by
facts, but to move people you have to tell stories.

The sentences are informal speech style Becaue the sentences are short and
most of them are simple sentence. There are only a few dependent clauses, which
are short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in
the form of active voice. All the words are familiar. No big words, no abstract
words, no difficult phrases. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like
metaphors and Contractions are generally used


4.2 The Result of the Analysis
The result of analysis is based on the research finding which identify the
dominant speech style used by the host, and guest in the Oprah Winfrey. The host
and the guest (Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama; Oprah Winfrey and Barrack
Obama) use informal, formal, and serious, ironic, humor speech styles.

4.3 Discussion
The results of this research show that speech styles are used in the script in
the Oprah Winfrey show used tree classification of speech style. Those are formal
speech style, informal speech style and humor, ironic and serious style.
The dialogue between the host and the guest of Oprah Winfrey was
informal speech style. Informal speech style is usually used in the sentences which
are short and simple sentence,.There are only a few dependent clauses, which are
short and simple, too. Sentence fragments are used. All the finite verbs are in the
active voice. All the words are familiar. No abstract words, no difficult phrases,
Contractions are generally used. In addition, there are no rhetorical devices like
metaphors. The conversational sentences used by the host and the guest of the
Oprah Winfrey shows scripts are mostly standard language, simple sentence,
finite verbs are in the active voice the words are familiar every day.
The characteristic of colloquial style is similar to slang but not as radical
slang, it is more relaxed and conversational than formal style. It used shortened
form of word which is suitable for ordinary, informal, or familiar conversation.
Informal style is often used in the conversations between close people or
to whom which is in the lower class that accrue in the informal or casual
condition. Generally they used this style to make a friendly and relaxed situation;
it is usually used in ordinary conversation.
Formal style is also used by Oprah Winfrey and they guest (Barrack
Obama, and Michelle Obama) because it is conducted in a moment. It is usually
used when the conversation occurred in the formal explanation depending on the
problems and situations. Oprah Winfrey and the gust share anything in the white
house. Moreover, the ironic style is very rarely used in the conversation because
the moment is formal situation. In addition, the slang speech style is not used in
this conversation.







CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION


This chapter consists of conclusions and suggestion related to the research
findings.

5.1 Conclusion

From the Analysis in the Oprah Winfrey script dialogue, the researcher
found the dominant frequently style used by the host and the guest of the Oprah
Winfrey show, those are informal and formal speech style. In addition, informal
speech style occurs dominant than formal speech style. Therefore, the using of
informal and formal speech style is in the serious situation. It appropriates the
conversation used of the president and his wife.
Speech styles are mostly used in the host and the guest in the Oprah
Winfrey show, namely; Informal speech style. The use of this style is shown in
the stage of Oprah Winfrey Show. The languages used by guest (Obama and his
wife Michelle) are used contraction the sentences, which are simple sentence;
there are only a few dependent clauses. Sentence fragments are used. The finite
verbs are in the active voice. For Example, Youre saying that makes me feel
different than. When you say that, I actually do now, for the first time, think,
"Yeah, it is the people's house." the example statement that used is in the
informal language situation..
Humor and ironic speech style is almost rarely used in the conversation
because the situation is in the formal and informal situation. In addition of the
function of speech style, it can be concluded that the massage conveyed by style.
In the style it self, it is not codec directly on actual words which mean intended
massage. All of utterances in the dialogue are identified from the context.
Speech style which used by the host and the guest (Oprah, Barrack, and
Michelle) give several significant improvement and knowledge. The most
significant contribution that the researcher gets can improve the public speaking,
the others importance for the researcher can select the speech style in certain
context, certain purpose, and certain person.

5.2 Suggestion
The result of this research does not cover all of the kinds of Speech style.
However, this is still far from the complete one. Nevertheless, by this research, at
least it can be known The Speech style Used in the Oprah Winfrey Show. I hope
that criticism and suggestion will develop the reader to gain the better researcher.
Here, the researcher would like to suggest you some points related to the subject
of the research.
1. The researcher suggests to the reader to choose the best speech style,
which is used in the other guest in the Oprah Winfrey Show. Because the
next researcher will get different finding about speech style in the Oprah
Winfrey show.
2. To the students, to understand of speech style, especially in the formal
speech style, informal speech style, and colloquial style, it will be able to
help them to avoid having wrong interpretation.
3. To the other researchers who conduct the same research could complete
this research not only about the kinds of speech style used. But also the
function of speech style.

















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OPRAH TALKS TO MICHELLE OBAMA
The Exclusive Interview

Our new First Lady on the surprises of life in the White House ("If you want pie,
there's pie! If something breaks, it is fixed. In an hour")...the rules she's laid down
for Malia and Sasha ("I want the kids to be treated like children, not little
princesses")...and how she hopes to use "one of the best jobs in the world" to help
women transform their lives.
On the second floor of the White House, the Yellow Oval Roompart of the First
Family's private residenceoffers a stunning view of the nation's capital. The
Washington Monument stretches into the heavens. The Lincoln Memorial sits
above the glassy water of the Reflecting Pool. In the distance, you can see the
U.S. Capitol, where the world's attention was focused on January 20 as millions
gathered to witness an event many had thought would never happen. This room is
where I interviewed First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA in February, and as I gazed
out the windows and took in the view, I was struck by the immense legacy she
and her family have inherited. I felt the weight of history, and I understood what
she means when she says, as she often does, "This is not about us."

Yet for all the majesty of the White House, the First Lady has already infused it
with a palpable ease; her presence makes the place feel open and approachable.
When we sit down to talk, she seems as relaxed as she did when I first interviewed
her and her husband in their Chicago apartment in 2004. "This room has the best
light in the house," she tells me as we settle in, shoes off, on a comfortable sofa.
"And there's pie here, too. The pie in the White House is dangerously good."

The Obamas packed up their belongings in Chicago and headed for Washington in
early January so 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha could get started at their
new school. A few weeks later, Michelle and her mother, Marian Robinson, began
settling the family into their new home. When I returned to Chicago after the
inauguration, I spent the weekend thinking, "I wonder what the Obamas are doing
now?" Later, when I was looking for some cough syrup in my medicine cabinet, I
suddenly thought, "Michelle never has to go out to buy cough syrup again!" For
the First Lady and her family, it's a whole new reality. As we talk, she tells me
how they're adjustingand what she's planning to do in her awesome new role.

Oprah: I had heart palpitations coming through the White House gate, recognizing
that this really is now your home. It's the White House, and it's your home.
Michelle Obama: And it's a beautiful home. When you go out and come back,
especially at night, with all the white lights onit's just beautiful. We feel
privileged, and we feel a responsibility to make it feel like the people's house. We
have the good fortune of being able to sleep here, but this house belongs to
America.

Oprah: Youre saying that makes me feel different than I've ever felt about the
White House. When you say that, I actually do now, for the first time, think,
"Yeah, it is the people's house." How did you come to understand that so clearly?
Michelle Obama: Well, I had some time to think about it, because we ran for so
long...
Oprah: The longest run anybody's ever seen.
Michelle Obama: Right. And at some point, you start thinking about what living
here would really mean. I've taken Barack's mantra: This isn't about us. There's so
much history here that no one family can claim this space as their own.
Oprah: So when did it hit you?
Michelle Obama: I don't think it has. Everything's been moving at the speed of
light. The whole process of transitioning here, the inauguration, all the protocol,
seeing to it that the girls are doing wellI've really just been trying to make sure
everything gets done.
Oprah: I can't imagine what the inauguration was like for you. For me, it felt like a
moment in time that had been coming since time began.
Oprah: What was your prayer the night before you moved into the White House?
Michelle Obama: That we stay whole as a family through this process. And when
Barack and I talked, he said he wanted to get through the day with everyone
intact, everyone who attendedhe said he would feel good when every last visitor
left safely. And fortunately that happened.
OPRAH: Every last visitor. Every train. Every bus. There were so many people.
And all of them had their eyes on you. Were you in your body?
Michelle Obama: Oh, I was in it. And it was pretty cold.

Oprah: One of my favorite, favorite moments was during the paradethe two of
you getting out of the car and walking, and your arms are linked and your head is
sort of on his shoulder. I loved that. But I wondered about the conversation before
you got out. Did you just suddenly say, "Look, we're going to walk for a while
now"?

Michelle Obama: We were trying to see if the girls wanted to get out. They were
like, "No"they wanted to stay in the car. And while we were out, they were
partying in therewhen we got back in, they had the music blaring. But Barack
and I felt that walking outside was a natural extension of the campaign: "Okay, we
can't come over to you, we can't hug youcan't do thatbut we can be out here
waving." Of course, then there was a point where we felt like, "Whoa, three
blocks is long." My feet started hurting.
Oprah: How did your feet feel at the seventh ball that night?
Michelle Obama: What a good workout, right? I just remembered that even
though it was the seventh ball for me, it was the first ball for everyone there. I
thought about that during the parade, too. I thought, "I'm going to stand here and
cheer for every last person, because this is why they cameto walk in front of the
president of the United States."
Oprah: Weren't you freezing?
Michelle Obama: I was a little cube of ice. My coat had layers, but from the legs
down, I was cold. I would have loved to be wearing a pair of warm, toasty boots.
Next: Michelle Obama's first week at the White House
OPRAH: But your shoes looked good! So after the inauguration, what was your
first weekend in the White House like?

Michelle Obama: Well, we still had family here, so it was almost like a wedding.
A huge, very complicated wedding. The last visitors didn't leave until Sunday.
And then the first Monday was kind of weird. You know: "Now we live here, and
Barack is getting up and going to work, and it's just us. This is our home now."
But the kids didn't act any differently.
OPRAH: They didn't?
Michelle Obama: No. They have been so steady and rock solid that I pinch myself
sometimes. Sometimes I pinch themare you real? Because they've adjusted so
well. And that was always my concern: How are they going to do? How is this
going to be for these little precious girls who were doing just fine in Chicago and
had a happy life? But once I saw them thrivingnot just living, but thriving,
happy, excited about their day and very much focused on their worldthat's when
I was able to breathe.
Oprah: And how are you adjusting? What are your days like?
Michelle Obama: My day is structured so that I'm usually not working until 10 or
10:30. That gives me time to get the girls out of the house. My mom is taking
them to school because it's less of a scene for her. With all the security involved,
it's a more normal experience for them when I don't go.
OPRAH: What do people at school call you? First Lady? Mrs. Obama?
Michelle Obama: When I introduce myself, I usually say, "Hi, I'm Michelle
Malia and Sasha's mom." And then when you sit down with another parent and
have a conversation, all the titles melt away anyway, and you're just talking about
your kids. But to get back to your question, after I see the girls off, I usually work
until 3 or 4. Then they're back and we start in on homework. Then Dad comes
home and we all have dinner. That's the beauty of living above the office: Barack
is home every day. The four of us sit down to eat as a family. We haven't had that
kind of normalcy for years. And now I can just pop over to his office, which
sometimes I'll do if I know he's having a particularly frustrating day.
OPRAH: You pop over to the Oval Office?
Michelle Obama: Yes. I'll just pop over and say hi. And all of thisthis being
together as a familyis what has made the transition easy. We have each other, in
a really fundamental way.
Oprah: What are weekends like?
Michelle Obama: We're still getting the kids' activities schedule straight. They're
trying to figure out what they want to do. Sasha has played basketball
OPRAH: She's coming up in the basketball tradition.
Michelle Obama: I know, Barack's losing his mind. I was like, "Settle down
don't act too excited, or she will not want to do it."
Oprah: And how is your mother doing? I am so impressed with her. We had a
conversation right before you moved, and she said she was going to make sure
you all had your dinners as a familybut that she would not be at the table.
Michelle Obama: I know.
Oprah: When I asked her why, she said, "Because that's Michelle's family."

Michelle Obama: My mom has some really wise approaches to family. But there
are times when we're like, "Mom, come down here."
OPRAH: She originally wanted her own apartment.
Michelle Obama: And I told her, "You can live right here and never even see us if
you don't want to!"
Oprah: She told me that the reason she decided to live here is that she didn't want
you and the president to have to pay for her to have her own place.
Michelle Obama: Oh, that's good. We're cheap, for sure. And I bet she said so!
Oprah: But there is a lot of room here.
Michelle Obama: Plenty of room. There are many times when she drops off the
kids, we hang out and talk and catch up, and then she's like, "I'm going home."
And she walks upstairs.
Oprah: Like she's going across town. So she's adjusting well to living in
Washington?

Michelle Obama: Yes. She's made friends, she's had visitors, she's been to the
Kennedy Center more than I have. She was actually so busy one weekend that she
forgot to check my schedule. Then she thought, "Well, maybe Michelle's going to
need me Sunday." And I said, "Actually, yeah, the first state dinner is Sunday. But
we'll get a babysitter. Don't worry." [Laughter.] Pretty soon she's going to come
and say, "You know, I can't pick those kids up, I've got so much going on."
Oprah: What's it like to walk into a world where you have so many people
available to handle your every need? You've gone from doing everything,
managing your whole household, getting the kids off to school, picking up your
own cough syrup...
Michelle Obama: Going to Target...
Oprah: Going to Targetand now you walk into this world...
Michelle Obama: Where, if you want pie, there's pie. If something breaks, it's
fixed. In an hour. Look, I appreciate it.
Oprah: How many people are on the staff?
Michelle Obama: There are about 95 people who manage the residence. But I
want it to feel like home, so it's important for me to get to know the people we
work with, to be able to joke with them and tease them.
Oprah: Before you moved in, you said you wanted the girls to keep making their
own beds and doing chores. Is the staff on board with that?
Michelle Obama: It took a second. At first they were like, "Are you sure?" But if
these girls don't learn how to make a bed or clean a room, what are they going to
do when they go to college? It can't be foreign to them to be part of a working
household. So in the first few days, I gathered my East Wing team and the
residence staffthe folks who clean the chandeliers, the people in the kitchen,
everyoneand thanked them for helping us transition through the move. Then I
talked about our vision for this house: that it would be filled with life, that we'd
have people in and out, that the kids would roam around. I want the kids to be
treated like children, not little princesses. I told everyone that they should make
their beds, they should clean their plates, they should act respectfullyand that if
anyone on the staff sees differently, they should come to me. So the girls help set
the table, they help bring the food out, they work with the butler staff, and they're
in the kitchen laughing and making their toast in the morning. And everyone has
adjusted to the rules. Now I joke with the staff: "Don't spoil themspoil Mom!"
OPRAH: You can handle it!
Michelle Obama: I can handle it.
Oprah: There's a solidness about the girlsa groundednessthat speaks to the
great work you've done as a mother. What are you most proud of in terms of
raising them?
Michelle Obama: It's that: that they're so steady. And that they're kindto each
other, and to other children. It's important to me that they have empathy. I want
them to be able to think, "Well, I could see how that person feels and why that
would hurt." And to make decisions not just based on their own needs but on
what's going on around them.
Oprah: How are they with each other?
Michelle Obama: There's genuine love and affection. I'm big on the idea that their
sister is all each of them has. Even when they argue, I want them to act with
respect. I say, "Do you know how painful it is for a mother to watch her two
children, who she loves equally, arguing?" I say, "You don't see it much, but the
one or two times you've seen Dad and me disagree, you started falling apart." And
they get it.

Oprah: Are there fewer arguments between you and the president now that you
don't have to fix things around the house?
Michelle Obama: Absolutely. That was kind of a growth point in our marriage
that I've talked about beforethe stress of needing help, and then finally realizing
that the help doesn't necessarily have to come from your husband. It can come
from anywhere.
Oprah: You seemed to grow together over the course of the campaign. The
connection between the two of you seemed to intensify.
Michelle Obama: When you work on something really hard together and enjoy the
successes and challenges with each other, and then get through it not just whole
but strongeryou realize how blessed you are, how much love you have together.
So, yes, I think we've grown. But not just me and Barack. It's the girls, too. And
our whole extended family.
Oprah: And how have you managed to stay in touch with family and friends?
Michelle Obama: That's the thing about being the First Lady: You try to catch
your friends up on what's happening in your life, and they're like, "We knowwe
read it in the paper."
Oprah: "We saw it in the Tribune."
Michelle Obama: So we get to see friendswe've been back to Chicagobut I
think people will wind up coming here to visit us because...
OPRAH: It's hard to travel when you're First Lady.
Michelle Obama: It is. You know, you asked me when it hit me that all this was
really happening. I'll tell you when it hit me. There was a moment before our first
visit to the White House, when we came to meet the Bushes. I had flown in early
to visit a school, and then I went back to the airport so Barack and I could ride to
the White House together. As we drove up, my Secret Service agent said, "There's
the president-elect's motorcade." And there were like 20 cars! There was
everything in that motorcade except the caboose! Now I tease Barack: "You've
got the horse and carriage, the dogsled, the airplane, the bike..."
Oprah: And the kids know he's home when they hear his helicopter landing.
Michelle Obama: Once someone on my staff e-mailed to tell me that the president
was on his way. But you could already hear the helicopter, so it was like, well, no
kidding.
Oprah: "Dad's home!"
Michelle Obama: The girls don't move. I'm like, "You want to see Daddy landing
in the helicopter?" "No, that's okay. We already saw it."
Oprah: Is living in the White House fun?

Michelle Obama: There's fun every day. I have one of the best jobs in the world.
Because I don't have to fix the economy, thank goodness. Yet I get to go say hello
to the people who make this government work, who hold us up and who will still
be here after we're gone. I get to go read to kids. We're also working on a
wonderful new garden project.
Oprah: Will kids get to visit the garden?

Michelle Obama: We want to use it as a point of education, to talk about health
and how delicious it is to eat fresh food, and how you can take that food and make
it part of a healthy diet. You know, the tomato that's from your garden tastes very
different from one that isn't. And peaswhat is it like to eat peas in season? So
we want the White House to be a place of education and awareness. And
hopefully kids will be interested because there are kids living here. We're even
putting a swing set on the South Lawn.
Oprah: So Dad can look out from the Oval Office and see the girls.
Michelle Obama: Yesthough I hope the swing set won't be just for the Obama
girls. I want the staff to feel that they can bring their children to the place where
they work and let them feel connected to what their parents do.
Oprah: It's wonderful that you want to be so inclusive. But do you get privacy
when you need it?
Michelle Obama: Absolutelyas much as we need. This is our home, and
everyone treats it that way. There is a great deal of respect and decorum around
the residence.
Oprah: How will the decorating style change?
Michelle Obama: It will reflect our family. I want comfortable sofas, I want art
that reflects contemporary and traditional, I want to bring in new American
artisans.
Oprah: You want more than just a few plates on the walls. You want pieces that
are inclusive of American culture.
Michelle Obama: Right. And we want approachable comfort.
OPRAH: So you can take off your shoes.
Michelle Obama: And you've got to be able to make a fort with the sofa pillows!
Everything must be fort-worthy.
Oprah: Okay, shifting gears now. How are you a different woman today than you
were when Barack Obama announced his candidacy in 2007?
Michelle Obama: I'm more optimistic. More hopeful. It comes from traveling all
over America and connecting with so many different people. And this was long
before anyone thought Barack had a chance. This was the kindness of strangers. I
think we should all have to get to know one another around kitchen tables. It
changed me. It's helped me to give other people the benefit of the doubt.
Oprah: What did you see that changed you?
Michelle Obama: I saw our shared values. We fundamentally want the same
things for ourselves and for each other. We want our kids to be safe and to grow
up with some resources and aspire to a slightly better life than ours. No one's
looking for a handout. People just want fairness and opportunity.
Oprah: That's so good to hear. Because you know what? We live in an American
Idol culture where it seems like everyone just wants to be in the spotlight.
Michelle Obama: That's not the America I saw. People value their communities.
They're rooting for one another. Even in places where I thought people wouldn't
accept or relate to me, I always walked out feeling like, "Wowthat was fun."
That changed me. And it helped prepare me for this. Because I think if you're
going to be First Lady, you have to believe in the possibility of what this country
stands for. You have to see it in action and know what you're working toward.
OPRAH: That's so interestingand it all came from sitting around kitchen tables.
Speaking of which, did you change your diet during the campaign?
Michelle Obama: When we first started running, my big concern was making sure
we ate well on the road. So we started looking at our diet, trying to eliminate junk,
getting seasonal fruits and vegetables that were grown locally. We walked the kids
through reading labels. We talked about why one juice might be better than
another.
Oprah: What foods did you give up?
Michelle Obama: Things with artificial ingredients. That's a tough change for a lot
of families, though, because so many foods aren't real anymore. But lots of people
don't have access to a farmers' market, or can't afford to shop at one, so this is a
bigger issue. It's really big, because changing your diet makes such a difference.
I've seen it in my own family. We have more energy. And I caught only one cold
during the last year of the campaign, even after shaking millions of hands!
Oprah: On the campaign trail, weren't people offering you every kind of food
imaginable?
Michelle Obama: Yes, and a lot of times, I'd eat it. Hey, I love pie. I love a good
candy bar. And sometimes when you're working so hard, the only thing you have
is that candy bar and those potato chips. But if I went home to a balanced diet,
then those days wouldn't kill me. I feel the same about the girls. If they're eating
healthy most times, I don't panic when they get popcorn at the movies. I don't
want them freaking out about food.
Oprah: That's right. In addition to eating well, do you work out?
Michelle Obama: Yes. There's a small gym here that has everything we need. I
work out about four or five days a weekand Barack does six. He's a workout
zealot.
Oprah: Well, you look better than everdespite the rumors that you've got a baby
bump.
Michelle Obama: [Laughter.] I knowI was like, "Baby bump? As hard as I work
on my abs?!"
Oprah: By the way, nobody would be happier if you were pregnant than Gayle
King. Out of nowhere, she'll tell me, "Oh God, I really hope Michelle gets
pregnantand that it's a boy!"
Michelle Obama: [More laughter.] Here's the scoop: Not pregnant. And not
planning on it.
Oprah: Not pregnant.
Michelle Obama: Not pregnant.
Oprah: Okay, so that's settled. Back to exercise. You do treadmill?
Michelle Obama: I do treadmill, I do weights

Oprah: I think anyone who saw you on the cover of Vogue knows you do weights.
Those arms!
Michelle Obama: I also do some jump rope, some kickboxingand I'd like to
take up Pilates, if I could figure out whether there's time. After I had Malia, I
began to prioritize exercise because I realized that my happiness is tied to how I
feel about myself. I want my girls to see a mother who takes care of herself, even
if that means I have to get up at 4:30 so I can do a workout.
Oprah: When you first told me that a few years ago, I was like, "You get up at
4:30 to work out?"
Michelle Obama: Well, I just started thinking, if I had to get up to go to work, I'd
get up and go to work. If I had to get up to take care of my kids, I'd get up to do
that. But when it comes to yourself, then it's suddenly, "Oh, I can't get up at 4:30."
So I had to change that. If I don't exercise, I won't feel good. I'll get depressed. Of
course, it's easier to do it here, because I have much more support now. But I
always think about women who don't have support. That's why work-family
balance isn't just a policy conversation; it's about changing the expectations of
who we have to be as women and parents.
Oprah: What you mentioned earlier is key: We have to ask for help. You can't do
it all. It's impossible.
Michelle Obama: That's a conversation I'd love for us to have as a society. How
do we set expectations that are attainable?
Oprah: And how do we change the perception of what women should be able to
handle? Parents have always needed helpbut our generation decided that
women should somehow do everything. Yet for thousands and thousands of years,
parents had kids so that the kids could help them!
Michelle Obama: And we once lived in small enough communities where people
could help each other. Families were together. That's how I grew up. My
grandmother lived around the corner, my grandfather lived two blocks away, they
each lived with aunts and uncles. My paternal grandparents lived maybe ten
blocks away. It was rare to see a family where one person was trying to cook,
clean, watch the kids, do it all. You always had a community. But nowadays
people have to move away from their community just to find a job. And then
they're leaving their support base. So we have to acknowledge that that's going on
and ask what it does to the family structure and what it means in terms of how we
have to reengineer support.
OPRAH: Your saying that out loud is so powerful for women. And liberating.
You're a mighty force. You know, I've wondered: Do you feel the glare of the
fishbowl?
.Michelle Obama: I don't pay attention to it. There isn't a biggerfishbowl, but I
don't own the glare.
Oprah: Now that your husband is president, everybody has an opinion about what
he should or should not be doing. How do you handle that? I sometimes get
offendedand I'm not married to him!

Michelle Obama: We live in the experience that we're actually having. In just a
few weeks, my husband got a stimulus bill passed and made some amazing policy
changes that will affect people's lives in a fundamentally positive way. I'm so
proud of him. That's the reality. Everything else is just what comes with the
territory. The people who disagree with Barack don't dislike him; they just
disagree. That's what democracy is about. But at some point, you've got to make a
decision and move forward, and your hope is that people will give you the benefit
of the doubt that you're making decisions based on what you think is best for the
country.

Oprah: Gayle once interviewed you for her radio show and was blown away by
something you said: that your husband has never disappointed you. Gayle was
like, "I can't believe that!"



Michelle Obama: Barack is a human being with flaws. And I can rattle down all
the flaws and tease him about them every day, but those flaws are not
fundamental. They don't hit upon things that are intolerable to me. In terms of his
core values, he has never disappointed me. He is a very consistent personwhich
is why I knew unequivocally that he would be a phenomenal president. He is
steady. Has he made me mad? Yes. Does he sometimes do things that I don't like?
Absolutely.

Oprah: That's called marriage.

Michelle Obama: But as a human being, he has never disappointed. And I would
hope he could say the same about me. Ask him!

Oprah: I will. First chance I get. Has your love deepened during this whole
process?

Michelle Obama: Absolutely. I don't lose sight of the fact that he's the president,
but first and foremost he's my husband, my friend, and the father of my children.
That didn't change with his hand on the Lincoln Bible. But it doesn't mean I don't
appreciate the gravity of what he's doing. The way I can honor that is by working
by his side and adding value to what he's doing in any way that I can. That's my
part in this. That's why I'm out there trying to be an aid and a support to his vision
and his values. I am supporting the president of the United States.

Oprah: It seems that every woman I speak toblack, white, older, youngersays
the same thing about you: "She's just like us." People feel an affection for you that
I find so touching.

Michelle Obama: I've always thought that what I owe the American people is to
let them see who I am so there are no surprises. I don't want to be anyone but
Michelle Obama. And I want people to know what they're getting.

Oprah: What I see in you is a confidence that comes from such an authentic place.
A reporter who interviewed me 10 years after she'd first met me said, "Gee, you're
the same personbut it feels like you've become more of yourself." When did
you get to be this much of yourself?

Michelle Obama: I think in my 40s, I started feeling very comfortable in my own
skin. Motherhood helps, marriage helpsthose learning curves that force you to
be better. And my hope is that my 50s will hone that. I never consider myself a
finished project.

O: So what do you know for sure, MICHELLE OBAMA?

Michelle Obama: I know that all I can do is be the best me that I can. And live life
with some gusto. Giving back is a big part of that. How am I going to share this
experience with the American people? I'm always thinking about that.


Note: This interview appeared in the November 2004 issue of O, The Oprah
Magazine.

It's a speech I'll never forget: Barack Obama, the Illinois state senator from
Chicago, addressing the nation at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. "I
stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a
debt to all of those who came before me, and that in no other country on earth is
my story even possible," he said with a fervor that could be felt through the
airwaves. "Tonight we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of
the height of our skyscrapers or the power of our military or the size of our
economy," he continued. "Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed
up in a declaration made over 200 years ago: 'We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men are created equal.'"

The man whose name means "blessed" in Arabic is the son of a Kenyan father,
Barack Obama Sr., and a white mother, Ann Dunham, from Kansas. The two met
as college students in Hawaii in 1959 (Barack Sr. was the first African to enroll at
the University of Hawaii), and two years later, when Ann was just 19, their child
was born. At the time, miscegenation was still a crime in many states, and it was
also unwelcome in Kenya. Under that pressure, Barack Sr. left the marriage when
his son was just 2 years old and went to Harvard to pursue a PhD. Later, after he
had returned to Kenya to work as an economist, Ann married an Indonesian man,
and when Barack was 6, the family moved to a town outside Jakarta, where Maya,
Barack's sister, was born. After four years, the family returned to Hawaii and
Barack began corresponding with his father and trying to understand his African
heritage. His father's death in a traffic accident in Nairobi in 1982 prompted
Barack to travel to Kenya and meet the rest of his family for the first time.

Following his graduation from Columbia University, Barack attended Harvard
Law School and became the first African-American president of its law review. In
1992 he married Michelle Robinson, also a Harvard-educated lawyer. The couple
has two daughters: Malia, 6, and Sasha, 3.

Barack's autobiography, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and
Inheritance, was published in 1995, when he was 33. The following year, he won
a seat in the Illinois state senate, representing Chicago's poverty-stricken South
Side. Still, Obama wasn't exactly a household name when he stepped into the race
for the U.S. Senate last year. But then he won the primary with 53 percent of the
vote and captured the attention of John Kerry, which landed him on the world
stage for one of the most extraordinary speeches I've ever heard.

Oprah: There's a line in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman [a 1974 TV
movie based on Ernest J. Gaines's novel] when Jane is holding a baby and asking,
"Will you be the One?" While you were speaking, I was alone in my sitting room
cheering and saying, "I think this is the One."

Barack: That's so nice. I think I'm one of the ones. I fight against the notion that
blacks can have only one leader at a time. We're caught in that messiah mentality.
As a consequence, a competition is set up. Who's the leader of the Korean-
American community or the Irish-American community? The reason we don't
know the answer is that they've got a collective leadershippeople contributing
in business, culture, politics. That's the model I want to encourage. I want to be
part of many voices that help the entire country rise up.

Oprah: How do you define yourself as a leader?

Barack: Though I'm clearly a political leader now, I didn't start as one. I was
skeptical of electoral politics. I thought it was corrupting, and that real change
would happen in the grass roots. I came to Chicago [after college graduation] to
work with churches organizing job-training programs. I thought the way to have
an impact was through changing people's hearts and minds, not through some
government program. So I did that for three and a half years, went to law school
to become a civil rights attorney, then wrote a book.

Oprah: You were so young when you wrote Dreams from My Father. Why did
you decide to write a memoir at 33?

Barack: I had the opportunity. When I was elected president of the Harvard Law
Review, people were willing to give me money to write. That's a huge luxury. I
thought I had something interesting to say about how our cultures collide as the
world shrinks. My family's story captures some of the tensions and evolution and
crosscurrents of race, both in this country and around the globe. One of the
contributions I thought I could make was to show how I came to terms with these
divergent culturesand that would speak to how we all can live together, finding
shared values and common stories. Writing the book was a great exercise for me
because it solidified where I'd been and set the stage for where I was going.

Oprah: When did you first realize that you were a little black kid? Was it the
incident you wrote about, in the seventh grade, when someone called you "coon"?

Barack: Because I grew up in Hawaii and then lived in Indonesia for a while, I
understood my affiliation to Africa and black people from an early age, but only
in positive terms. I became aware of the cesspool of stereotypes when I was 8 or
9. I saw a story in Life magazine about people who were using skin bleach to
make themselves white. I was really disturbed by that. Why would somebody
want to do that? My mother had always complimented me: "You have such pretty
brown skin."

Oprah: In the book, you eloquently describe what it's like to be out playing
basketball and talking about "white folks," then coming home to the white folks
you lived withthe people who loved and cared for you. That must have been
confusing.

Barack: It was. One of the things I fell prey to during my teen years was this need
to separate myself from my parents and grandparents and take on this macho
African-American image of a basketball player talking trash. The other day,
somebody asked me, "Why do you think you ended up embracing all the
stereotypes? You tried pot, coke." Back in the seventies, we had Shaft and
Superfly or Flip Wilson and Geraldine. If you had to choose between those, it was
pretty clear which direction you'd go. But you're right: As a teen, I had this
divided identityone inside the home, one for the outside world. It wasn't until I
got to college that I started realizing that was fundamentally dishonest. I knew
there had to be a different way for me to understand myself as a black man and yet
not reject the love and values given to me by my mother and her parents. I had to
reconcile that I could be proud of my African-American heritage and yet not be
limited by it.

Oprah: That's now my favorite Barack Obama quote! There's another line you
delivered in your speech at the convention that still resonates with me: "Children
can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and
eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white." I stood
up and cheered when you said that.

Barack: That's something I went through personally. Bill Cosby got into trouble
when he said some of these things, and he has a right to say things in ways that
I'm not going to because he's an older man. But I completely agree with his
underlying premise: We have to change attitudes. There's a strain of anti-
intellectualism running in our community that we have to eliminate. I'm young
enough to understand where that opposition culture, that rebellion against
achievement, comes from.

Oprah: Where does it comes from?

Barack: Fearat least for me and a lot of young African-Americans. There's a
sense in which we feel that the only way to assert strength is to push away from a
society that says we're not as good. It's like: Instead of trying to compete, I'm
going to have my own thing, and my own thing may be the streets or rap music.





Oprah: Do you think we've lost the belief that we can succeed? I was talking with
Skip Gates [Henry Louis Gates, scholar of African-American history and culture],
and he was saying how ironic it is that our parents believed that their little nappy-
headed boys and girls could grow up and be somebody if they worked twice as
hard.

Barack: We no longer operate that way, but we should be working twice as hard,
because we still have challenges and barriers other communities don't have.

Oprah: Let's go to the night of the 2004 Democratic convention. How were you
chosen to deliver the keynote speech?

Barack: We won our primary in a way that shocked people. In a seven-person
field, we got 53 percent of the vote. People's assumption had been that if I won,
I'd get 90 percent of the black vote, then maybe a little of the liberal white vote.
We did win the black vote by 90 percent, but we also won the white voteboth
on Chicago's South Side and up north. That created a sense of hopefulness among
Democrats. I debunked this notion that whites won't vote for blacks. Or
suburbanites won't vote for city people. Or downstate Illinois won't vote for
upstate Illinois. That was the bedrock of my campaign: People may look different,
talk different, and live in different places, but they've got some core values that
they all care about and they all believe in. If you can speak to those values, people
will respondeven if you have a funny name.

Oprah: When I was working at a news station in Baltimore, the manager wanted
me to change my name to Suzie. He said, "Nobody will ever remember Oprah."

Barack: I was told, "People will remember your name and won't like it." You can
have one African name, but not two. You can be Barack Smith or Joe Obama
but not Barack Obama.

Oprah: I loved reading where you said, "People don't know whether it's Osama or
Yo' Mama."

Barack: Alabama, Bahama, or Barama.

Oprah: I think the name is working for you now.

Barack: Absolutely. Yours turned out okay for you, too. So anyway, John Kerry
came to town for an event a few weeks after the primary. He and Teresa and I
were all sitting at the same table, and I gave a speech before he didand I can
talk pretty good! [He and Oprah laugh.]

Oprah: When did you know that about yourself? I've known since I was 3, when I
was speaking in church.

Barack: I didn't grow up in a setting where I had a lot of formal training, but I
always knew I could express myself. I knew I could win some arguments. I knew
I could get my grandparents and mom frustrated! Anyway, because of the five-
minute speech I gave at the Kerry event, he thought it would be good for me to
speak at the convention, but I didn't know in what capacity. About two weeks
before the convention, I was asked to give the keynote address.

Oprah: I remember the first time I got called to do The Tonight Show. I was like,
"My GodJohnny Carson!" We were jumping on the tables. The convention was
your Johnny Carson moment. Did you dance a little hula?

Barack: I said, "This will be big."

Oprah: Did you start thinking about what you'd say?

Barack: The best move I made was to begin writing the speech that night. After I'd
scribbled some notes, I wrote it in about three nights and sent it to the Kerry staff.

Oprah: It was really smart to write it when it was flowing and hot.

Barack: Exactly. By the time the speech had been edited for length, I was no
longer particularly nervous. I was just making sure I didn't get up on the podium,
open my mouth, and have nothing come out.

Oprah: Did you rehearse?

Barack: It turned out that there was a mock podium backstage where I could
practice. I'd never used a teleprompter before.

Oprah: No? Get out!

Barack: I usually speak extemporaneously.

Oprah: Well, the speech was perfection.

Barack: I appreciate that.

Oprah [to Barack's wife, Michelle]: Were you nervous for him?

Michelle: We're pretty low-key, but I was on the edge of my seat. He's a terrific
speaker; he delivers in so many high-pressure moments. My question was: Will he
really knock it out of the park? When he walked out onstage, all those OBAMA
signs went up, and we just felt the energy of people being with us. That's when I
was like, "Yes, he's going to do this."

Oprah: You could feel it. Barack, during the speech, there was a moment when
you locked in and got your rhythm. I said, "He's gone!"

Barack: And it's in that moment that you know it's not just about you. It's about
the audience and their energy and their story being told through you. The news
coverage was very flattering. But the best sign came when we were walking down
the street in Boston and the hotel doormen and the cops and the bus drivers were
saying, "Good speech."

Oprah: That's when you know you hit the ball out of the park and it's still flying.

Barack: It's when you know you've gone beyond the political insiders.

Michelle: And that obligatory "You did a good job."

Barack: When we came back, we went on a downstate RV tour39 cities, five
days.

Michelle: With the kids.

Oprah: Isn't politics fun?

Barack: Even in conservative Republican counties, 1,200 people would just show
up at 9 on a Sunday morning.

Oprah: Did that response solidify your message?

Barack: It confirms the instincts that got me into politics. I believe the American
people are decent people. They get confused sometimes because they get bad
information or they're just busy and stressed and not paying attention. But when
you sit down and talk with them, you're struck by how tolerant and loving they
are.

Oprah: Most people honestly want to do as well as they can in their lives.

Barack: Exactly. They've got their struggles and heartaches, but they're basically
good.

Oprah: What do you want to do with your politics?

Barack: Two things. I want to make real the American ideal that every child in
this country has a shot at life. Right now that's not true in the aggregate. Of
course, lightning can strike, and someone like you or me can do well. But so many
kids have the odds stacked so high against them. The odds don't have to be that
high. We can be sure that they start off with health insurance, that they have early
childhood education, that they have a roof over their heads, and that they have
good teachers. There are things we can afford to do that will make a difference.
Part of my task is to persuade the majority in this country that those investments
are worth it, and if we make better choices in our government, we can deliver on
that promise.

For my second and companion goal, I'm well situated to help the country
understand how we can both celebrate our diversity in all its complexity and still
affirm our common bonds. That will be the biggest challenge, not just for this
country but for the entire planet. How do we say we're different yet the same? Of
course, there will be times when we'll argue about our differences, but we have to
build a society on the belief that you are more like me than different from me.
That you know your fears, your hopes, your love for your child are the same as
what I feel. Maybe I can help with that because I've got so many different pieces
in me.

Oprah: I think you're uniquely situated at this time. You know what? When I went
to Africa with Christmas gifts, my prime goal was to show African children as
happy and responsive and loving so that people could see, "Oh, these children are
just like my children." When people see children with distended bellies and flies
on their eyes, they block it out and don't relate. When I got an e-mail from a white
South African lady saying, "For the first time, I realize these children have
birthdays," I thought, "We won."

Barack: That's great. I often say we've got a budget deficit that's important, we've
got a trade deficit that's critical, but what I worry about most is our empathy
deficit. When I speak to students, I tell them that one of the most important things
we can do is to look through somebody else's eyes. People like bin Laden are
missing that sense of empathy. That's why they can think of the people in the
World Trade Center as abstractions. They can just crash a plane into them and not
even consider, "How would I feel if my child were in there?"

Oprah: We Americans also suffer from an empathy deficit, because we often feel
that the woman in Bosnia or Afghanistan who loses her child is somehow
different from us.

Barack: They become abstractions.

Oprah: Would you define what you're doing as a new kind of politics? I don't
consider myself political, and I seldom interview politicians. So when I decided to
talk with you, people around me were like, "What's happened to you?" I said, "I
think this is beyond and above politics." It feels like something new.

Barack: I hope it's new. Many of the moments that become "history" happen when
politics expresses our deepest hopes. Both of us grew up in a time when there
were so many reasons to be cynical: Watergate, Vietnam

Oprah: And the politicians themselves. That's why you didn't want to be one.

Barack: When I speak, the first thing I confront is people's cynicism. I understand
it. It seems like politics is a business and not a mission. Some of our leaders have
been long on rhetoric, short on substancepower is always trumping principle.
That's why we withdraw into our private worlds and lives, and we think politics
can't address the things that are most important to us. But the civil rights
movement was a political movement. The movement to give women the vote was
political. We are all connected as one people, and our mutual obligations have to
express themselves not only in our families, not only in our churches, not only in
our synagogues and mosques, but in our government, too.

Oprah: How do you actually get people to be more empathetic?

Barack: Your story about South Africa was terrific. Images, actions, and stories
always speak the loudest. That's why I see my book as part of my politics. And I'll
write more books. Policy has to be guided by facts, but to move people you have
to tell stories.

Oprah: You think you'll have time to write more books?

Barack: I wrote the first one while I was getting married and running a voter
registration project. I'll find time.

Oprah: There was a moment during the eighties, after I'd come to Chicago and my
show had been national for a while, that I just felt like all the planets had lined up
for me and it was my moment. Do you feel that for yourself?

Barack: There's been an interesting confluence of events over the last year that
have Michelle and me looking at each other and talking.

Michelle: We're clear on the fact that we have to stay humble and prayerful. We
have to dig down deep to our roots. When things come together, we know some of
it is Barack, some of it is usbut a lot of it has nothing to do with either of us.

Oprah: When your opponents fall by the wayside based on scandal you didn't
create

Barack: It's an interesting moment. It makes me feel that much more determined
and that much more responsible. It makes me think I've got to make sure that I
don't

Michelle: screw it up.

Oprah: When I had the same moment, I literally went to my knees. You're either
humble or you're not. If you were a jerk before the fame, you just become a jerk
with a bigger spotlight. Whoever you are really comes through.

Barack: This platform is an enormous privilege. And it's not for me. It's for the
people I meet in these little towns who have lost their jobs, don't have healthcare,
are trying to figure out how to pay for their child's college education, are
struggling and occasionally slipping into bitterness. It's not easy solving these
problems. There are big global issuesthe shift in the economy, the decline in
manufacturing, the threat of terrorism, and complicated healthcare concerns.
There will be conflicts and difficulties, and I don't pretend that everybody is going
to agree with me all the time.

Michelle: I would want Barack as my senator. I know this man. He is brilliant, he
is decent, he is everything you'd want.

Oprah: How important a role does your family play?

Barack: They're everything.

Oprah: When I heard you deliver your primary speech, I actually believed you
when you thanked your wife. You're right: She has held this family together.

Barack: I love this woman. We've had our rough patches

Michelle: There were many

Barack: The best quote so far in the campaign was in The New Yorker. The
interviewer sat down with Michelle and said, "This must really be tough." She
said, "This is crazy. He's never home, the schedule's terrible, and I'm raising two
kids and working." Then Michelle pauses and says, "That's why he's such a
grateful man."

Oprah: That's great.

Barack: The hardest thing about the work I do is the strain it puts on Michelle, and
not being around enough for the kids. Then there are the financial worries after
you've come out of Harvard Law School

Michelle: It's Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia combined.

Barack: So there's a lot that my family has had to sacrifice.

Oprah: What's a day like for you? How often are you away from home?

Barack: I've had 10 days off in the last three years, and that includes weekends.
My workdays are often 16 hours.

Michelle: And more people are making requests for his time.

Oprah: How do you decide what to do?

Barack: That has gotten harder. If you don't show up, people feel hurt. You get
this beautiful letter from a school in South Carolina, and the teacher writes,
"These kids would be so inspired if you came."

Oprah: My letters start out with, "Dear Oprah, we know you love children"

Barack: Right now I still have an excuse: I haven't been elected yet. After the
election, handling the requests will require discipline. That's how Michelle has
been a rock for me. She supports me by being a corrective. My instinct is to do
everything. I don't want to disappoint anyone. Michelle is a little more sensible.

Oprah: Somebody has to say "Enough!"

Michelle: The first people we don't want to disappoint are our kids. Barack is a
great father. Even when he's away, he calls every night. People will suck you dry,
and they don't think about the fact that you have two kids. He has to go to the kids'
ballet events and their parent-teacher conferences. And he enjoys that.

Barack: One of the wrestling matches I'm always having with my staff is getting
my kids' events onto the schedule. I have to make sure they understand that's a
priority.

Michelle: Now, if people can't get Barack to speak, they're like, "Michelle can
come. She seems nice and smart, too." But I can't be gone every night. And I can't
do something every Saturday from now until election daythat's when we go to
the park or on playdates. It's up to the staff to figure out which Saturday they want
me to do something, because there will be just one. My desire is to make sure that
my kids are sane, happy, and healthywhich they are.

Oprah: At this point in the campaign, are you excited?

Barack: I think we'll win as long as we stay focused and don't get complacent. We
have to continue to work hard. But I want to do more than just win. I want to win
in a way that sustains the hopefulness we've carried since the primary. Not
engaging in negative attacks, not being dragged into the mud. Steady. That kind of
politics is harder, not easier.

Oprah: When you had that guy [a tracker from Barack's opponent's campaign who
was following Barack everywhere] in your face every day, how could you not
punch him?

Barack: Michelle will tell you that I generally have an even temper.

Michelle: If I had been there, I would've punched him! [Michelle laughs.]

Barack: Initially, I tried to talk with him. I said, "Listen, I don't mind you
following me, but please be 15 feet away. I'm on the phone with my wife." He
would plant himself in front of our office

Michelle: and then chase you into the bathroom.

Barack: Well, he wouldn't actually go into the bathroom. He'd stand outside and
watch me come out.

Oprah: God don't like ugly.

Barack: Those slash-and-burn tactics have become the custom in Washington
politics. But we will not play that game. People don't want to hear folks shouting
at each other and trying to score political points. They want to solve problems. I'm
determined to disagree with people without being disagreeable. That's part of the
empathy. Empathy doesn't just extend to cute little kids. You have to have
empathy when you're talking to some guy who doesn't like black people.

There's a level of viciousness in politics because power is at stake. Fortunately,
most of my past mistakes are ones that people already know about. That's one of
the nice things about writing a book.
Oprah: I'm surprised you were so candid about having used drugs.

Barack: I think the biggest mistake politicians make is being inauthentic. By
writing about my mistakes, I was trying to show how I was vulnerable to the same
pitfalls as American youth everywhere.

Oprah: Right. Is there anything about Washington that frightens you?

Barack: The things that concern me have to do with my family. I want to make
sure we're spending enough time with one another and drawing a circle of
common sense around what can be a very artificial environment. That's where I
rely so much on Michelle.

Oprah: What do you know for sure?

Barack: I know that I love my family. I know that people are fundamentally good.
I know that, in the words of Dr. King, "The arc of the moral universe is long but it
bends toward justice." I know that there is great suffering and tragedy in the
world, but ultimately, it's worth it to live.

Oprah: Do you think you'll be the first black president?

Barack: A bunch of people have started talking about that. Listen, if you're in
politics, at a certain point you think about where to take your career. But at this
stage, it's way too premature. Politics is a marathon. So many things can change.
You can't plan 12 years ahead. But what I will say is this: We can win the race
we're in now. I think I have the aptitude to be a terrific United States senator. And
if, at the end of my first term, the people of Illinois say, "This guy's been serving
us well," then I'll be in a strong position to have a lot of influence in this country
for a long time to come whether or not I'm president.