Interpersonal function in media discourse (broadsheets vs tabloids)

Bc. Kristina ŠIŠÁKOVÁ

Master's thesis

The interpersonal function in media discourse (broadsheets vs. tabloids)

Abstract:

One of the most basic functions of language is to create interpersonal relationships between speaker/writer and listener/reader. We use language to orient ourselves and our text to others. many theories for studying intepersonal function have been established. I adopted the parameter-based approach by Monika Bednarek. The parameter-based approach to evaluation is created by nine evaluative parameters and these parameters she uses for a detailed analysis of news stories taken from broadsheets and tabloids. In my thesis I will analyse the evaluative language used in the British press, namely: The Sun, The Guardian, The Daily Mirror and The Telegraph. Although newspapers are expected to deliver objective reports, journalists very often write their opinions and use evaluative language. My analysis showed that tabloids use a lot of emotive and evaluative expressions which I also expected at the very beginning of the thesis. Broadsheets also cannot be described objective as the journalists often express their own opinion and draw attention of the reader. The language of evaluation plays a really important role in the interpersonal function in broadsheets and tabloids.

Abstract:

One of the most basic functions of language is to create interpersonal relationships between speaker/writer and listener/reader. We use language to orient ourselves and our text to others. many theories for studying intepersonal function have been established. I adopted the parameter-based approach by Monika Bednarek. The parameter-based approach to evaluation is created by nine evaluative parameters and these parameters she uses for a detailed analysis of news stories taken from broadsheets and tabloids. In my thesis I will analyse the evaluative language used in the British press, namely: The Sun, The Guardian, The Daily Mirror and The Telegraph. Although newspapers are expected to deliver objective reports, journalists very often write their opinions and use evaluative language. My analysis showed that tabloids use a lot of emotive and evaluative expressions which I also expected at the very beginning of the thesis. Broadsheets also cannot be described objective as the journalists often express their own opinion and draw attention of the reader. The language of evaluation plays a really important role in the interpersonal function in broadsheets and tabloids.

Keywords

broadsheet, tabloid, evaluation, interpersonal function, Monika Bednarek, serious press

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 8. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Ondřej Molnár, Ph.D.

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Human Studies / English Philology - Applied Economic Studies