The Language of Politics

The skillful use of language is one of the most powerful tool that politicians can wield in order to influence and persuade both political colleagues and the electorate. To this end gift of persuasive speech is as important as the ability to answer questions situationally appropriately and without antagonising the electorate unduly.

Traditionally, politicians’ rhetorical skills were tested on the basis of their speeches, election manifestos, debates and interviews. These traditional ways of presenting a politician and what they stand for have been joined by social media representation by and on behalf of the candidates, sometimes with a clear political strategy in mind and sometimes unfiltered and occasionally regretted afterwards. The course investigates typical stylistic features of political language. It traces core features of language use by English-speaking politicians and parties. In this, spoken, written and new media genres are considered. The course further looks at how this political representation is taken up in political reporting in the media.

The course readings will be discussed at the first session.

The course assignments and requirements will be discussed at the first session.