One of the suggested topics for Part 2 from the Language A: Language and Literature guide is 'language and presentation of speeches and campaigns'. As we explore how various media are used to persuade different audiences, we can look to the wealth of materials provided by political parties in their efforts to win elections. In these pages we will look the language used in political speeches, negative ads and political flyers.

Besides political campaigns we will also study advertising campaigns, which have an equally important role in winning the hearts and minds of audiences. For example we will look at a campaign launched by MTV to persuade viewers to care more about the environment. Campaigns like these rely on a range of linguistic strategies and propaganda techniques to persuade their audience.  

Guiding questions

1. How is language used in political campaigns to persuade audiences?

2. How is language used in advertising campaigns to persuade audiences?

3. How are different media used to influence the public?

4. What do persuasive texts say about the cultural values of the audience that they target?