The rhetoric of Croatian and Italian political discourse: analysis and comparison based on speeches delivered by prime ministers from 2008 until 2014

Silov, Ivana. (2018). The rhetoric of Croatian and Italian political discourse: analysis and comparison based on speeches delivered by prime ministers from 2008 until 2014. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Phonetics. [mentor Kišiček, Gabrijela].

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Abstract

In democratic societies, political discourse represents the main agent in decision-making. Therefore, oratory skills and the rhetoric of politicians are under constant public examination. The present thesis aims to determine rhetorical characteristics of Croatian and Italian political discourse in order to examine if there are differences in rhetorical and argumentative strategies deriving from cultural and geographic background of speakers. The first part of the thesis provides the theoretical background of rhetoric and argumentation in political discourse, while the second part presents the methodology and analysis. Speeches delivered by six politicians that served as prime ministers in Croatia and Italy from 2008 until 2014 were analyzed. Fundamental rhetorical principles in political discourse shall overcome the geographical differences and outlines of oratory skills shall be equal in both countries. Results of analysis point to numerous similarities between Croatian and Italian politicians, mostly in argumentative strategies, but speakers differ in frequency of use of a particular strategy, as well in strategy chosen as priority in persuasion. Analyzed speakers pay great attention to their credibility. Therefore, the analysis confirms a great importance of ethos as the main persuasion mode in political discourse. In the context of Italian political discourse, there is also a relevant importance of pathos. Frequent use of fallacies and rhetorical figures, remarkably metaphor, are characteristics noticed as common to all speakers.

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