The general function of the paragraph is to inform the audience the future of America will be difficult , the transformation will take a long time. To do this mr. Obama askes American people for a mutual commitment in vue for an improvement (common effort and sharing responsibility). Mr. Obama uses possesive pronoums and talks as “America” to reinforce the sense of unity of all American people.

The changement will be based on increasing exportation, outsourcing fewer jobs and investing on manufacturing, energy, education, national security and the deficit.

In the next paragraph mr. Obama tells American people the importance of new technologies now a days. America is one of the major productors and users of oil and fuel, mr. Obama's strategy provides to cut oil imports and investing in wind, solar and all sort of clean energy. Doing this America will reduce pollutions and consequently global heating.

The sixth paragraph exposes the problem of the high cost of American education. Many families can not send their children to university because they do not have enough money. In this respect mr. Obama wants to reduce tutition costs because it has repercussions on American economy.