Non-permissible combination with ENGL1064: ENGL2182/ LCOM2004. Language, communication and the media
[Note to students admitted in 2023-24 and before: Students who have already completed “ENGL2182/ LCOM2004. Language, communication and the media” are not allowed to study “ENGL1064. Language, communication and the media” in the academic year 2024-25 and thereafter. But for those who have not completed ENGL2182/ LCOM2004 as an advanced course, they may still take ENGL1064 as an introductory course (List B) in the academic year 2024-25 and thereafter.]

Language plays a crucial role in political persuasion, especially within the media, which serves as a powerful channel for transmitting persuasive messages. Media texts, including news and political communication, utilize various linguistic techniques to influence audiences' beliefs and actions. These techniques include carefully chosen words, persuasive devices, and rhetorical strategies designed to grab attention, establish credibility, and motivate a desired response. This course outlines the evolution of theories of persuasion, bringing them right up to date while exploring attempts to persuade in the political sphere through the media and via multiple media (including social media etc).

 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Read and understand key theoretical texts that address changing understandings of persuasion and politics in the media and empirical approaches in the study of language and political communication.
• Acquire analytic tools to interpret and evaluate everyday and institutional texts in terms of language, politics and media.
• Develop discourse analytic skills in spoken and written presentations. 

• evaluation, the ‘engine’ of persuasion
• ‘spin’, ‘spin control’ and ‘image’ politics
• models of persuasion
  • authority, (self-)censorhip
  • contrast, problem-solution, association
  • 'garden path'
• pseudo-logical and ‘post-truth’ arguments
  • delegitimisation, disinformation
  • ‘fake news’, ‘conspiracy theories’, ‘zombie’ narratives
• humour, irony and satire
• metaphors: use, misuse and dangers
• election rhetoric

 

This course consists of a two-hour interactive lecture and a one-hour tutorial per week. Attendance is required for all sessions and participation will be graded

 

Assessment for the course is 100% coursework:

1. Participation in lecture and tutorial activities 20%
2. Online forum writing entries 20%
3. Research proposal 30%.
4. Final research paper 30%

• Partington, Alan (2025) The language of persuasion in politics and the media: An Introduction. Routledge.