ENG2602
EXAM PACK
,ENG2602 – OCTOBER-NOVEMBER2024
EXAM ANSWERS
GENRES OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SECTION A: GENRES OF LANGUAGE
QUESTION 2: POLITICAL PERSUASION
Political persuasion is the use of language and communication strategies to influence
people's attitudes, beliefs and behaviour concerning political issues. In the given
discourse, John Steenhuisen's communication with the press seeks to persuade South
African voters to support the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the 2024 general elections.
The discourse focuses particularly on the possibility of an ANC-EFF coalition, referred
to as a "Doomsday Coalition." The speaker employs pathos, logos and ethos,
together with repetition, imagery and rhetorical questions, to construct his argument.
One of the most significant persuasive strategies is pathos, or emotional appeal.
Steenhuisen uses expressions such as "Doomsday Coalition" to create a sense of fear
and urgency. The word "doomsday" has strong negative associations because it
suggests destruction, catastrophe and an undesirable future. By repeatedly associating
a possible ANC-EFF coalition with this expression, the discourse encourages audiences
to imagine political and economic instability. This emotional strategy is particularly
directed at voters who may be concerned about their property, economic security and
the future of the country.
The speaker also uses imagery to make the possible consequences of the political
scenario more vivid. The idea of a "doomsday" government creates mental pictures of
disorder and destruction. References to property expropriation and threats to private
property rights further develop this imagery by connecting political change with possible
personal and economic consequences. The language therefore transforms an abstract
,political possibility into something that audiences can imagine affecting their everyday
lives.
Another important strategy is logos, or logical appeal. Steenhuisen attempts to present
reasons why voters should take the possibility of an ANC-EFF coalition seriously. He
refers to issues such as private property rights, property expropriation and possible
political instability. He also refers to his earlier warnings about a potential coalition,
presenting these as evidence that the DA had anticipated the political development.
Through this strategy, he attempts to make his argument appear reasoned rather than
based exclusively on emotion.
The discourse also relies heavily on ethos, which refers to the establishment of
credibility and moral authority. Steenhuisen presents the DA as a defender of
democracy, press freedom and the rule of law. His statement concerning the
importance of a "free and unobstructed press" establishes an association between the
DA and democratic principles. By presenting his party in this way, he seeks to establish
trust among audiences who value freedom of expression and democratic institutions.
His reference to having warned about a possible ANC-EFF coalition also contributes to
his construction of himself as a politically alert and responsible leader.
Repetition is another prominent linguistic device. The repeated use of the expression
"Doomsday Coalition" reinforces the central message of the discourse. Repetition
makes an idea more memorable and gives it greater prominence. Each repetition
connects the proposed ANC-EFF cooperation with the negative associations contained
in the word "doomsday." Consequently, the phrase becomes a central frame through
which the audience is encouraged to interpret the proposed coalition.
The speaker also uses contrast to distinguish the DA from its political opponents. The
DA is represented as a defender of democracy, press freedom and property rights,
while the potential ANC-EFF coalition is presented in terms of possible instability and
economic uncertainty. This creates a clear opposition between the two political
, alternatives. Such contrast simplifies a complicated political situation and makes the
speaker's preferred political argument easier for the audience to understand.
Rhetorical questions also contribute to the persuasive nature of the discourse.
Although these questions do not necessarily require direct answers, they encourage the
audience to consider the possible consequences of an ANC-EFF coalition. The
audience is therefore invited to mentally evaluate the political situation and its possible
effects on their lives. Rhetorical questions can be particularly effective because they
encourage listeners to participate mentally in the argument rather than simply receive
information passively.
The discourse further uses inclusive and value-based language to establish a
relationship with the media and the broader public. By emphasizing the importance of a
free press and democratic society, Steenhuisen appeals to values that extend beyond
party politics. This enables him to present the DA's position as being connected to
broader democratic principles.
In conclusion, the discourse demonstrates several characteristics of political
persuasion. Steenhuisen employs pathos through fear and emotional imagery, logos
through arguments concerning possible political and economic consequences, and
ethos through claims concerning democracy, press freedom and political vigilance.
Repetition, imagery, contrast and rhetorical questions strengthen the persuasive effect
of the message. Overall, the language constructs competing political possibilities in
strongly contrasting terms and seeks to influence how voters interpret the 2024 electoral
choices.
SECTION B: GENRES OF LITERATURE
QUESTION 1: FICTION
EXAM PACK
,ENG2602 – OCTOBER-NOVEMBER2024
EXAM ANSWERS
GENRES OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SECTION A: GENRES OF LANGUAGE
QUESTION 2: POLITICAL PERSUASION
Political persuasion is the use of language and communication strategies to influence
people's attitudes, beliefs and behaviour concerning political issues. In the given
discourse, John Steenhuisen's communication with the press seeks to persuade South
African voters to support the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the 2024 general elections.
The discourse focuses particularly on the possibility of an ANC-EFF coalition, referred
to as a "Doomsday Coalition." The speaker employs pathos, logos and ethos,
together with repetition, imagery and rhetorical questions, to construct his argument.
One of the most significant persuasive strategies is pathos, or emotional appeal.
Steenhuisen uses expressions such as "Doomsday Coalition" to create a sense of fear
and urgency. The word "doomsday" has strong negative associations because it
suggests destruction, catastrophe and an undesirable future. By repeatedly associating
a possible ANC-EFF coalition with this expression, the discourse encourages audiences
to imagine political and economic instability. This emotional strategy is particularly
directed at voters who may be concerned about their property, economic security and
the future of the country.
The speaker also uses imagery to make the possible consequences of the political
scenario more vivid. The idea of a "doomsday" government creates mental pictures of
disorder and destruction. References to property expropriation and threats to private
property rights further develop this imagery by connecting political change with possible
personal and economic consequences. The language therefore transforms an abstract
,political possibility into something that audiences can imagine affecting their everyday
lives.
Another important strategy is logos, or logical appeal. Steenhuisen attempts to present
reasons why voters should take the possibility of an ANC-EFF coalition seriously. He
refers to issues such as private property rights, property expropriation and possible
political instability. He also refers to his earlier warnings about a potential coalition,
presenting these as evidence that the DA had anticipated the political development.
Through this strategy, he attempts to make his argument appear reasoned rather than
based exclusively on emotion.
The discourse also relies heavily on ethos, which refers to the establishment of
credibility and moral authority. Steenhuisen presents the DA as a defender of
democracy, press freedom and the rule of law. His statement concerning the
importance of a "free and unobstructed press" establishes an association between the
DA and democratic principles. By presenting his party in this way, he seeks to establish
trust among audiences who value freedom of expression and democratic institutions.
His reference to having warned about a possible ANC-EFF coalition also contributes to
his construction of himself as a politically alert and responsible leader.
Repetition is another prominent linguistic device. The repeated use of the expression
"Doomsday Coalition" reinforces the central message of the discourse. Repetition
makes an idea more memorable and gives it greater prominence. Each repetition
connects the proposed ANC-EFF cooperation with the negative associations contained
in the word "doomsday." Consequently, the phrase becomes a central frame through
which the audience is encouraged to interpret the proposed coalition.
The speaker also uses contrast to distinguish the DA from its political opponents. The
DA is represented as a defender of democracy, press freedom and property rights,
while the potential ANC-EFF coalition is presented in terms of possible instability and
economic uncertainty. This creates a clear opposition between the two political
, alternatives. Such contrast simplifies a complicated political situation and makes the
speaker's preferred political argument easier for the audience to understand.
Rhetorical questions also contribute to the persuasive nature of the discourse.
Although these questions do not necessarily require direct answers, they encourage the
audience to consider the possible consequences of an ANC-EFF coalition. The
audience is therefore invited to mentally evaluate the political situation and its possible
effects on their lives. Rhetorical questions can be particularly effective because they
encourage listeners to participate mentally in the argument rather than simply receive
information passively.
The discourse further uses inclusive and value-based language to establish a
relationship with the media and the broader public. By emphasizing the importance of a
free press and democratic society, Steenhuisen appeals to values that extend beyond
party politics. This enables him to present the DA's position as being connected to
broader democratic principles.
In conclusion, the discourse demonstrates several characteristics of political
persuasion. Steenhuisen employs pathos through fear and emotional imagery, logos
through arguments concerning possible political and economic consequences, and
ethos through claims concerning democracy, press freedom and political vigilance.
Repetition, imagery, contrast and rhetorical questions strengthen the persuasive effect
of the message. Overall, the language constructs competing political possibilities in
strongly contrasting terms and seeks to influence how voters interpret the 2024 electoral
choices.
SECTION B: GENRES OF LITERATURE
QUESTION 1: FICTION
