ABSTRACT
Unit A6 deals with critical discourse analysis, which aims to reveal the norms, values, and ideological assumptions embedded in discourse, examining how those in power use discourse to influence others. The unit demonstrates that ideology is detectable through an analysis of the connotations, formality, and degree of certainty exploited in order to impose on others. The unit explains how nominalisations, passive voice, personal pronouns, and conditional clauses can be used to hide the perpetrator of actions and to distance speakers from commitment to the truth. It shows how rhetorical devices, such as metaphors, metonyms, and hyperboles, are also used to persuade and evoke emotions; how sound bites, slogans, and short phrases can also be used to manipulate people; and how bigger textual frameworks can be employed to persuade readers/hearers to take assumed values for granted. The unit demonstrates how the choice of words can reflect class, national, racial, and gender identity. It illustrates the theories by providing authentic examples from a variety of languages and types of media. Section B6 provides an example analysis, section C6 gives you the chance to analyse authentic texts, and section D6 introduces readings by Steve Buckledee and David Machin.
