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Linguistic Strategies & Realizations Of Covert Persuasion In Lawyer's Discourse

Posted on:2009-12-13Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:X F WangFull Text:PDF
GTID:2166360272958446Subject:Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
This thesis is chiefly concerned with Covert Persuasion as an overall linguistic strategy and its realizations in Lawyer's Discourse from an Appraisal perspective. This thesis was inspired by the successful application of covert persuasion in the fields of advertising and communication; therefore we assume that covert persuasion is equally applicable in lawyer's discourse as well as the overt persuasion. A working definition is given and advantages of the covert persuasion over the overt one are generated from the perspective of forensic linguistics accordingly.We establish a theoretical framework based on Appraisal Theory. Lawyer's discourse, mainly statement of defense and final statement, are analyzed to illustrate what the linguistic strategies are to realize covert persuasion and how the covert persuasion is realized in terms of linguistic means. Specific linguistic realizations are put forward as follows: inscribing & invoking, using non-core vocabulary, supporting & denying, intensifying, quantifying, softening and sharpening.The analyses reveal that covert persuasion is a very common and effective ways when lawyers skillfully manipulate the words to enhance their chance to win a case. Therefore, the covert tactics are more likely to align the listeners into the speaker's way of thinking with as little resistance as possible to accomplish the goal of persuasion.This thesis may push the study on persuasion in the courtroom interaction a step further, and may help to gain deeper insight into studies on lawyer's language skills and tactics. It is hoped that it can help lawyers realize the importance of covert persuasion, and more importantly, help them improve their persuasiveness with the tactics of covert persuasion.
Keywords/Search Tags:covert persuasion, overt persuasion, lawyer's discourse, Appraisal Theory
PDF Full Text Request
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