Analyzing Language Use in Political Speeches, Advertisements, and Hip-Hop Lyrics

Understanding Historical and Socio-Political Context

Choose One of the following:

1. Find a political speech and analyze the language being used; then, broaden your analysis to take on board the historical and socio-political context of the speech. This is where your research can come into play: to whom is the speech being addressed, and why? How clever is the politician in communicating the message? What is the message? What actually happened as a result of the speech? Remember, an important part of university writing is the critical thinking that informs this type of writing. So, what do you think about the speech? Is it a good speech? How do we define ‘good?’ You see, the questions never end…

2. Find some advertisements, and analyze their use of language. Use your research to explore how language is being used to manipulate the listener/reader. Then go a step further: what does this use of language say about one of the following: gender, sexuality, race, class, culture, politics, the environment? Think about beer adverts, or hybrid cars…

3. Find a hip-hop song lyric (or set of lyrics) and analyze the use of language. What is the message of the song, and how is it being communicated by the language? Then, broaden your analysis: what does this type of language say to the youth of today? Is it good/healthy? If so, why? If not, why not? Are there any (academic) studies that you can draw on relating to the influence of hip-hop lyrics on the youth of today? What do you think?