2. Political Power Power is initiated through communication and interaction. We see political power when, through language and discourse, a larger body can portray their ideas, morals and evaluations. “ Politics is viewed as a struggle for power, between those who seek to assert their power and those who seek to resist it”
3. The Speech In 2004 Barack Obama gave a speech to a stadium full of Democratic Supporters in Boston Massachusetts. This speech is called the Keynote speech and contains all the language elements of a persuasive political address. “Constructions of the real that reflect the interests of a speech community”
4. Coersion- ways, including commands and agenda setting , of making assumptions about realities that hearers are forced to accept at least temporarily.“The people will rise up in November and John Kerry will be sworn in” Resistance- Slogans, rallies etc. That resist existing power structures. “John Kerry believes in energy independence so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies”Dissimulation- Concerned with the control of information through euphemisms and so on.“I say to you tonight, we have more work to do”“With just a slight change in priorities we can make sure every child in America has a decent shot at life”
5. “We” The use of the pronoun “we” is used regularly to confirm unity to the listener. Obama wishes to construct a solidarity with every American and the pronoun is used to reaffirm togetherness. This contributes to the overall image the speech is trying to portray. That of a ‘United’ America.
6. Repetition The frequent restatement of points or specific messages is used to heighten emotion, add suspense or emphasize a statement. There is obvious repetition throughout Obama’s speech and in particular areas where tension builds and emotion is intense. The best example of this is near the end of his speech when he asks his country to follow his lead and vote for fellow member……..
10. References Obama, Barak. (2004). Democratic National Convention Keynote Speech. Retrieved 1st October, 2011 from, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19751-2004Jul27.html. Chilton, P. (2004). Analysing political discourse: theory and practice. London: Routledge Fairclough, N. (1989). Language and power. London: Longman
