Rhetoric and Argumentation
DOI 10.55206/XZYJ9354
Maglena Gurkova
NATFA “Krastyo Sarafov”
Email: m_gurkova@abv.bg
Abstract: The article includes results of rhetorical analysis of an election debate between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, which was part of the presidential candidate campaign in France in 2017. The research subject is significant in terms of rhetoric, in particular presidential and presidential candidate rhetoric in France, and the traditions of debate in the 21st century media environment and political culture. The hypothesis is that the debates during the 2017 presidential election campaign in France are an important event that contributes to the construction of the individual political image, recognition and reputation of the French presidential candidates, and that the rhetorical skills of the opponents play an essential role in the presentation of concepts, causes, vision of governance in a national and European context. The rhetorical analysis is on the debate between the two contenders for the presidency, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, which took place on 3 May 2017 in Studio 107 and which was broadcast by French media and social networks. It focuses on verbal, non-verbal means and argumentation in the debate and on the rhetorical features of media and public communication. The conclusions are based on a study of the political, social, cultural, media and communicative context in France; on the analysis of the scenario, the format, the debate hosts; and on the individual characteristics of the participants’ rhetorical and communicative behaviour.
Keywords: debate, presidential rhetoric, presidential candidate campaign, media, argumentation, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.
Rhetoric and Communications Journal, issue 58, January 2024