Power in Discourse: - A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Concluding Democratic Presidential Debates 2008
Authors
Lauritzen, Suzie ; Fisker, Malene
Term
4. term
Publication year
2009
Pages
377
Abstract
This thesis examines how power is constructed and negotiated in the language of the concluding 2008 Democratic presidential primary debates. Grounded in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and informed by social constructionism, structuralism/post-structuralism, and a socio-cognitive approach, it analyzes debate discourse by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and the role of moderators. The study operationalizes core CDA concepts (intertextuality, interdiscursivity, ideology, identity, mental models, discourse access, and discursive strategies) and integrates New Rhetoric, framing, and metaphor to explore audience orientation, values, argumentation, and modes of persuasion. The analysis is contextualized by background on the U.S. primary system and social constructions of gender and race. The data comprise debate transcripts and contextual materials, organized through a template that links theory to concrete textual features. The study asks how linguistic choices, rhetorical devices, and media practices shape perceptions of candidates and issues, and how gender and race inflect these power dynamics. Specific empirical findings are not included in this excerpt.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan magt konstrueres og forhandles i sproget i de afsluttende demokratiske primærdebatter i 2008. Med udgangspunkt i Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) og inspireret af socialkonstruktionisme, strukturalisme/poststrukturalisme samt en sociokognitiv tilgang analyseres debatternes diskurs, som den udfoldes af Hillary Clinton og Barack Obama, samt moderatorernes rolle. Arbejdet operationaliserer centrale CDA-begreber (intertekstualitet, interdiskursivitet, ideologi, identitet, mentale modeller, adgang til diskurs og diskursive strategier) og kombinerer dem med ny retorik, framing og metaforteori for at belyse publikumstilpasning, værdier, argumentation og overtalingsmåder. Analysen er kontekstualiseret gennem baggrund om det amerikanske primærvalgssystem og sociale konstruktioner af køn og race i USA. Datagrundlaget omfatter debattranskripter og kontekstuelle materialer, organiseret via en skabelon, der forbinder teori og konkrete teksttræk. Specialet spørger, hvordan sproglige valg, retoriske greb og mediepraksisser former opfattelser af kandidater og emner, og hvordan køn og race præger disse magtdynamikker. De konkrete empiriske fund er ikke indeholdt i dette uddrag.
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Keywords