Television Discourse Analysing Language in the Media

by Lorenzo-Dus, Nuria

• ISBN13: 9781403934291
• ISBN10: 1403934290
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

What is the connection between what is said on TV and how it is said? Structured around key features of television discourse, Nuria Lorenzo-Dus examines the specific forms and structures of talk across media genres. Using data from programs as varied as news bulletins and political speeches to makeover and talk shows, Television Discourse examines four defining characteristics of the current broadcast landscape: Storytelling, Closeness, Conflict and Persuasion. This innovative, four-part structure allows for detailed discourse analysis of how each feature works in context; whilst 'Storytelling' is examined in relation to docu-soaps and talk shows, 'Closeness' is explored through the mediums of celebrity chat shows and reality programming. Insightful analysis of 'Conflict' in courtroom shows and 'Persuasion' in lifestyle programs enables readers to think critically about the ways in which television discourse is used to influence the viewer.With a helpful glossary and extensive guide to further reading, Television Discourse is an invaluable resource for all those interested in studying language in the media.

Author Biography

NURIA LORENZO-DUS is a Senior Lecturer in the Applied Linguistics Department at Swansea University, UK.

Table of Contents

List of Extracts	p. ix
List of Figures and Tables	p. x
Abbreviations: Transcription conventions used in this book	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xii
Introduction	p. 1
The broadcast discourse of television	p. 1
Who is talking to whom and when on television?	p. 5
Scope and structure of the book	p. 8
Storytelling
Storytelling ... or the Entertaining Construction of Reality	p. 15
Once Upon a Time in a Documentary	p. 22
How to make dullness gripping	p. 22
Attractive personalities and documentary storytelling	p. 29
Conclusion	p. 38
Once Upon a Time in a Talk Show	p. 40
Personal experience stories and 'authentic talk'	p. 40
Co-performing narratives	p. 48
Conclusion	p. 53
Closeness
Closeness ... or How Television Gets Up Close and Personal	p. 57
Live News and Closeness	p. 65
Liveness and television	p. 65
Live images and closeness	p. 69
Live speech and closeness	p. 72
Conclusion	p. 78
'Close' Talk and Moral Worthiness	p. 80
Close chat	p. 80
Close talk, 'alone'	p. 87
Conclusion	p. 93
Conflict
Conflict ... or the Rise of Spectacular Incivility	p. 97
Emotional Conflict Talk and Reality Television	p. 105
Ordinary folk out of control?	p. 105
Experts out of control?	p. 112
Conclusion	p. 118
Conflict Talk and Politics	p. 121
Conflict talk in political debates: 'Politic' arguments and self-display	p. 121
Conflict talk in political interviews: An argumentative feast for all	p. 128
Conclusion	p. 136
Persuasion
Persuasion ... or the Art of Occultatio	p. 141
Persuasion, Politics and Television	p. 149
Of politicians and their television performances	p. 150
Of television and its metalanguage on politicians	p. 157
Conclusion	p. 162
Persuasion and Lifestyle Television	p. 164
Lifestyle television: Celebrating superficiality and democratising taste	p. 165
From DIY lessons to melodrama	p. 172
Conclusion	p. 180
Conclusion ... Television Discourse	p. 182
Television discourse and emotion	p. 184
Television discourse and morality	p. 187
Television discourse and reality	p. 189
Final words	p. 191
Notes	p. 192
Glossary	p. 199
Guide to Further Reading	p. 205
Bibliography	p. 211
Index	p. 227
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