THE RHETORIC BEHIND POLITICAL RESIGNATION SPEECHES

Neshkovska, Silvana (2020) THE RHETORIC BEHIND POLITICAL RESIGNATION SPEECHES. P A L I M P S E S T International Journal for Linguistic, Literary and Cultural Research, 5 (9). pp. 99-113. ISSN 2545-398X

Text THE RHETORIC BEHIND POLITICAL RESIGNATION SPEECHES.pdf Download (4MB)

Abstract

Abstract: By means of critical discourse analysis (CDA), the aim of this research
is to shed some light on the resignation speeches of the last three British Prime Ministers –
Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Theresa May. The study investigates the topics the
three politicians cover in their resignation speeches in light of the socio-political
circumstances relevant at the time when each of the resignation speeches was delivered. It
also attempts to disclose how these topics assist the politicians in achieving their goals and
whether any common pattern in all three speeches occurs. Additionally, the study looks into
the rhetorical devices (positive and negative lexis and various figures of speech) politicians
employ to make their resignation speeches sound more convincing, reassuring and less
detrimental to their political reputation.
The analysis showed that in all three resignation speeches, the politicians dwell on
their experiences and achievements as PM and offer a profuse praise for their country.
Understandably, positive lexis abounds in tackling these topics. In stating the reasons for
their resignation, they only hint at who the ‘culprit’ for their failure is. This means that no
overt criticism and almost no negative lexis is tracked down in the analysed speeches.
Additionally, the analysis reveals that although figurative speech is only moderately used,
still it is an indispensable part of political resignation speeches which endows them with
versatility and effectiveness.
Keywords: resignation speeches, politicians, lexis, figures of speech

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Humanities > Languages and literature
Divisions:	Faculty of Education
Depositing User:	Prof. d-r Silvana Neskovska
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2021 15:58
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2021 15:58
URI:	https://eprints.uklo.edu.mk/id/eprint/6117

Actions (login required)

View Item