COLUMN 2: talking about tone
In a review of President Obama's most recent remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, Eugene Robinson blatantly critiques the President's speech- even titling his article At the prayer breakfast, President Obama struck a patronizing tone. Simply by this label, Robinson gives his op ed a critical tone from the get go. His jargon, "glib, facile and patronizing", assess Obama's prayer with a negative emotion toward what was positive intentions. His pattern of long to short to long to short syntax reflects a shift in tone from educated, at times didactic, to a casual, direct tone. It is evident that his own voice is inserted in sections, especially from his notorious technique of employing hyphenated, conventional phrases such as "all-too-pat" or "off the hook". Such methods add to the laid back nature of his writing and this article in specific. In the midst of his opinion, Robinson lays his argument with a concrete history lesson. In this respect, he creates a very matter of factly tone. On multiple occasions, following President Obama's quotes, Robinson leans toward a patriotic vibe. Meanwhile, speaking to the religious aspect of this article, he gives his writing subtle biblical undertones, not overpowering though. Overall, Robinson's tone is very political- a good thing in the world of opinionated editorials.