DISCOURSE ANALYSIS IN POLITICAL ENGLISH: A STUDY OF RHETORICAL DEVICES IN CONTEMPORARY SPEECHES
Keywords:
discourse analysis, political English, rhetorical devices, persuasion, identity, power.Abstract
Discourse analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding the ways in which language is used to construct meaning, negotiate power, and influence thought. This study investigates the rhetorical strategies employed in contemporary political speeches delivered in English. Using a qualitative approach rooted in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research examines how metaphors, repetition, parallelism, and pronoun usage serve as tools of persuasion in speeches by political leaders such as Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak. The findings reveal that language is not a neutral medium but a purposeful and strategic instrument in political communication. These rhetorical devices contribute to identity construction, ideological positioning, and public engagement, illustrating the complex relationship between language, politics, and power.
References
1. Charteris-Black, J. (2011). Politicians and Rhetoric: The Persuasive Power of Metaphor (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
2. Chilton, P. (2004). Analyzing Political Discourse: Theory and Practice. Routledge.
3. Fairclough, N. (2001). Language and Power (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
