This text analysis project uses inaugural speeches by Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The goal is to compare their verbal styles and themes using text analysis tools like Voyant and AntConc. The Biden speech generally emphasizes unity and democracy, while the Trump speech focuses on national renewal and power.
In Biden's address, frequent phrases like "my whole soul" and "we must" reflect a focus on unity, shared responsibility, and moral resolution. His cirrus cloud and frequency graph show recurring terms such as America, people, we're, and going.
Trump's speech focuses more on national strength, industry, and promises of action. Common phrases include "the United States" and "the American people," revealing a collective tone. His most used terms include America, people, and American.
Side-by-side comparisons of Biden vs. Trump across 3-gram, 4-gram, and cirrus visualizations.
The phrase “in the world” is often used by Biden to compare the U.S. with other countries, whether talking about education, healthcare, or infrastructure. It shows how he looks at issues by looking at America's global standing, often pointing out where the U.S. excels or where it’s fallen behind.
Trump uses “the United States” to emphasize power, leadership, and action, highlighting military strength, economic deals, and global diplomacy. The phrase is used when stating national accomplishments or shifts in policy, showing dominant view of the country.
This list shows Biden frequently using hopeful and forward-looking phrases like “we’re going to” and “and so much more,” which suggest a message of optimism. Phrases like “the American jobs plan” and “pay their fair share” highlight his focus on policy and fairness.
Trump's most common phrases include “thank you very much” and “men and women of,” which reflect a formal and inclusive speaking style. There’s also a strong national focus, with repeated mentions of “the United States” and “first lady,” emphasizing patriotism and tradition.
Biden’s word cloud shows a focus on people, progress, and unity. Words like “we’re,” “going,” and “Americans” suggest he’s talking about moving forward together and tackling big issues as a country.
Trump’s word cloud highlights pride in America and a strong focus on the nation. Words like “American,” “country,” and “tonight” suggest he’s emphasizing patriotism and speaking directly to the moment.
Biden’s language focuses on unity, progress, and how the U.S. compares to the rest of the world. He often talks about what “we” can do together and highlights issues like jobs, health care, and fairness. Trump’s language centers more on strength, pride, and national identity. He uses “the United States” to emphasize leadership and action. Both highlight America, but Biden looks forward with a focus on teamwork, while Trump stresses power and patriotism.
This website © 2025 by Doug Nesselhauf is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0