Though most of Obama 's verbs were in the active voice , 11 percent of the sentences were in the passive voice , a dependable method of deflecting responsibility , Payack said . Linguist says Global Language Monitor 's speech was on seventh- or eighth -grade level . That 's lower than Reagan , King speeches . Speech was optimistic and forward-looking , expert says . Lack of 23 reference was significant change in tone , linguist says .
Linguist says Global Language Monitor 's speech was on seventh- or eighth -grade level . That 's lower than Reagan , King speeches . Speech was optimistic and forward-looking , expert says . Lack of 23 reference was significant change in tone , linguist says .