One of the more neglected fields in linguistics is the field of questions and their functions, although questions play an important role not only in casual conversation but in political discourse in particular. Therefore this paper will deal with one specific type of political discourse, namely political interviews (van Dijk 1995: 18). When it comes to political interviews, which have become more and more influential for political debate in the last few decades (Chilton 2004: 69), questions by the interviewer are the central
elements leading and guiding the discourse. Thus the aim of this paper is to examine the questions and their functions in political interviews. Considering that firstly a brief look at what makes an interview a political one will be required and secondly there will be a section on what an interviewer intends. Examining the functions of questions is another way of asking why or with what intention a question is used. Thus knowing about an interviewers general intention in a political interview will later in the analysis help to understand what the use of questions is and why they are posed in the one way or the other. Thirdly it has to be clarified what a question is and what types of questions there are.
These preliminary explanations will be followed by the main analysis on the basis of the transcriptions of two political interviews, one conducted by Andrew Marr in the Andrew Marr Show broadcast on BBC One on 21st July 2013 and the other conducted by Sir David Frost in the Show Frost over the World broadcast on AlJazeera on 10th September 2011. This analysis will focus on questions and attempt to provide answers to the following questions: What types of questions do the interviewers employ and how do they use them in order to succeed in their intentions? I.e. what are the particular functions of the interviewers’ questions to the interviewee (who in both interviews is the British Prime Minister David Cameron)? This second question is based on the assumption that there is (especially in political discourse) always one
basic function of questions which then (according to the type and content of the question) further subdivides into more specific and individual functions. Exemplary analyses of question forms typical for the two interviews will illustrate how the particular functions are fulfilled.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The interview
- 2.1 The political interview
- 2.2 What an interviewer intends
- 3. Questions
- 3.1 A definition
- 3.2 Types of question
- 3.2.1 Yes-no questions
- 3.2.2 Wh-questions
- 3.2.3 Alternative questions
- 3.2.4 Other types
- 4. Analysis: Functions of questions in two exemplary interviews
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. References
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the functions of questions in political interviews, focusing on interviews conducted by Andrew Marr and Sir David Frost. It explores how interviewers use questions to guide the discourse and achieve their objectives within the context of political debate.
- The nature and characteristics of political interviews
- The intentions and strategies of interviewers in political discourse
- The different types of questions used in political interviews and their respective functions
- Analysis of question types and functions in specific interviews featuring David Cameron
- The asymmetrical power dynamic between interviewer and interviewee in the political interview setting.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's focus on the often-overlooked linguistic field of questions and their functions, particularly within the context of political discourse. It highlights the growing influence of political interviews in shaping political debate and introduces the central aim of the paper: to analyze the questions and their functions in interviews conducted by Andrew Marr and Sir David Frost with David Cameron. The chapter also outlines the structure of the paper, including preliminary sections on the definition of political interviews and interviewer intentions, followed by a detailed analysis of the chosen interviews. The introduction lays the groundwork for a function-based analysis of questions, suggesting that understanding the interviewer's intentions is crucial for interpreting the purpose behind each question.
2. The interview: This chapter delves into the definition and characteristics of interviews, establishing the fundamental asymmetry of power between the interviewer and interviewee. It differentiates between highly standardized interviews used in academic research and media interviews, focusing particularly on political interviews as a specific type of media interview. It explains the crucial role of political interviews in shaping political discourse and introduces the key characteristics of political interviews, emphasizing the asymmetrical relationship between interviewer and interviewee and the structured nature of the interaction, comparing it to a classroom setting. The chapter highlights the existence of implicit norms governing the verbal behavior in political interviews and utilizes the example of the respectful addressing of politicians by interviewers, contrasting it with the lack of reciprocation from interviewees, illustrating the asymmetrical dynamics. It lays the foundation for understanding the power dynamics inherent in political interviews that will inform the analysis in subsequent chapters.
2.1 The political interview: This sub-chapter, while part of Chapter 2, focuses specifically on the unique characteristics of political interviews. It emphasizes their significant role in shaping political discourse, differentiating them from other interview types. The subchapter defines political interviews as interactions involving political elites and highlights the highly structured nature of these exchanges, with the interviewer controlling the flow of conversation and topic selection. The asymmetrical relationship between interviewer and interviewee is re-emphasized, noting the interviewer's exclusive right to ask questions and the existence of implicit norms shaping the interaction. This establishes a clear framework for understanding the context of the analysis that follows. The clear division of labor, where the interviewer determines the agenda and the interviewee mainly responds, establishes a power dynamic that underpins the subsequent analysis.
2.2 What an interviewer intends: This sub-chapter, also within Chapter 2, shifts the focus to the interviewer's objectives. It highlights the fundamental journalistic goal of gathering information – which might include factual information, evaluations, opinions, apologies, admissions of mistakes, or announcements – in media interviews. In the context of political interviews, a crucial additional aim emerges: holding politicians accountable. This sub-chapter provides crucial context for interpreting the functions of questions. Understanding the interviewer’s intention to gather information and hold politicians accountable allows for a deeper analysis of the questions asked and their strategic use in the interviews. This perspective is vital for a nuanced interpretation of the following analytical chapters.
3. Questions: This chapter provides a thorough examination of questions, beginning with a formal definition and moving towards a categorization of various types of questions. It meticulously classifies questions into yes-no questions, wh-questions, alternative questions, and other types, laying the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of specific question types employed in the chosen interviews. This section is crucial as it sets the stage for the in-depth analysis of the questions used in the interviews, providing the necessary linguistic framework for identifying and classifying those questions according to their grammatical structure and their potential functions in the conversational flow.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Questions in Political Interviews
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the functions of questions in political interviews, specifically focusing on interviews conducted by Andrew Marr and Sir David Frost with David Cameron. It examines how interviewers use questions to guide the discourse and achieve their objectives within the context of political debate.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the nature and characteristics of political interviews; the intentions and strategies of interviewers in political discourse; the different types of questions used and their functions; a detailed analysis of question types and functions in specific interviews with David Cameron; and the asymmetrical power dynamic between interviewer and interviewee.
What is the purpose of Chapter 1 (Introduction)?
Chapter 1 sets the stage by introducing the focus on questions and their functions in political discourse. It highlights the importance of political interviews and outlines the paper's aim to analyze questions in interviews by Marr and Frost with David Cameron. It also details the paper's structure.
What does Chapter 2 (The Interview) cover?
Chapter 2 defines and characterizes interviews, emphasizing the power asymmetry between interviewer and interviewee. It distinguishes between different interview types, focusing on political interviews and their role in shaping political discourse. It highlights the structured nature of these interactions and implicit norms governing verbal behavior.
What are the key points of Chapter 2.1 (The Political Interview)?
Chapter 2.1 delves into the unique characteristics of political interviews, emphasizing their role in shaping political discourse. It defines political interviews as interactions involving political elites, highlighting their structured nature and the asymmetrical relationship between interviewer and interviewee.
What is discussed in Chapter 2.2 (What an Interviewer Intends)?
Chapter 2.2 focuses on the interviewer's objectives, emphasizing the goal of gathering information (facts, opinions, apologies, etc.) and holding politicians accountable in political interviews. This understanding is crucial for interpreting the functions of the questions asked.
What is the content of Chapter 3 (Questions)?
Chapter 3 provides a thorough examination of questions, offering a formal definition and categorizing various question types (yes-no, wh-questions, alternative, and others). This lays the groundwork for analyzing the questions used in the chosen interviews.
What is the subject of Chapter 4 (Analysis)?
Chapter 4 presents a detailed analysis of the functions of questions in two exemplary interviews (presumably those with David Cameron by Marr and Frost), applying the theoretical framework established in the preceding chapters.
What is included in Chapter 5 (Conclusion)?
Chapter 5 summarizes the findings of the analysis presented in Chapter 4, offering concluding remarks on the functions of questions in political interviews and their impact on the political discourse.
What materials are cited in Chapter 6 (References)?
Chapter 6 lists the academic sources and materials cited throughout the paper, providing a complete bibliography for further research.
- Quote paper
- Saleem Arif (Author), 2013, Questions in political interviews, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/263596
