Pentadic Rhetorical Criticism On China’s Images In Chinese And American News Reports

News reports are not only one of ways to convey information,but also a way to shape and promote the image of a country.This thesis selects 20 pieces of news reports on 2016 G20 summit from the Washington Post,the New York Times,Global Time and China Daily,and applies Burke’s Pentadic Rhetorical Criticism to answer two questions:(1)What national images of China have been shaped in Chinese and American news reports respectively?(2)What are their motives?After the meaning group is identified,we mark the five factors of agent,act,scene,purpose and agency and the most prominent factors and ratio are located.By analyzing the prominent factors and ratios,we find Chinese media present a hospitable,responsible and cooperative China,while the America shows an image-obsessed,autocratic and contributing China.Therefore,the motives behind these reports are different.By conveying the positive image of the country,China aims at raising the international community’s affection for it,further enhancing its international status and international influence.American media presents an overall negative image of China.The only positive image is also due to the cooperation between the two countries.By describing the inadequacies of China,America aims to reduce the trust of the international community in China,weaken China’s international influence and consolidate its own international political status.