Words, Images and Meaning: An Experimental Study of the Effects of the Passive Voice in a Simulated T.V. News Bulletin

Mass communication, Rhetoric

Homan, Lisa

University:University of Glasgow

关键词: Mass communication, Rhetoric;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/76836/1/10970868.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

This thesis employs empirical and theoretical methodologies to investigate the manner in which the language used in a television news story commentary affects viewer understanding of the story. To start, the nature of what is commonly referred to as "reality" is examined. This is done in order to show that reality is a social construct and that language and the media are two of the most potent factors in the construction of reality. This information acts as the groundwork upon which is based a discussion of the particular influence of the passive voice. The passive voice is looked at from grammatical and, perhaps more importantly, pragmatic perspectives.