A Textual Analysis of Modality in the 2015 Matriculation Speech of Prof. W. O. Ellis

Speech presentation varies from political, religious, economic, and academic to social issues. Over the years, in academia, some research works have been carried out various fields of speech presentation. However, studies on modality speeches educational leaders Ghana are not pronounced. Consequently, this paper is a textual analysis mood choices deployed 2015 matriculation ceremony Prof W. O. Ellis, who one past vice-chancellors Kwame Nkrumah University Science Technology (KNUST), Ghana. The was for 2015/2016 graduate students Institute Distance Learning (IDL), KNUST. With prior permission, data (Vice Chancellor’s speech) purposively selected University’s portal. design used study qualitative. Accordingly, (data) analysed using content method. method, we identified structures, conditions that necessitate particular mood, how were interpreted manually. findings showed declarative imperative. Of these two choices, predominant (86%). revealed interrogative absent speech. recommends that, future, such should include moods. basis moods (especially rhetorical questions) propensity maintaining interpersonal relationship between speaker listener.