The Microanalysis of Political Discourse

Peter Bull

doi:10.12795/PH.2012.v26.i01.04

Authors

Peter Bull

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12795/PH.2012.v26.i01.04

Keywords:

microanalysis, face, facework, social skills model, genres of communication

Abstract

Microanalysis represents both a distinctive methodology and a dis- tinctive way of thinking about communication. Its application to the analysis of political discourse is discussed in relation to three key concepts: the social skills model of social interaction; face and facework; the role of social context (especially genres of communication). Through microanalytic techniques the communicative skills of politicians can be analysed, in particular their ability to perform effective facework in different social contexts.

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