1B - Power and Situation Theories

All of the theories below should be revised, so that they can be applied to a variety of different texts in your Section B essay.


Norman Fairclough:


Said - "Every use of language is a use of power. Every use of discourse is a negotiation of power."


Came up with - Features of dominance: Who leads? Set topic? Interrupts? Comments on what is said? Talks most?


Came up with the concept - Symmetrical and Asymmentrical conversations. Most conversation are ASYMMETRICAL


Came up with - Influential and Instrumental power


Paul Grice:


Came up with - Graice's Maxims (which, if flouted, will disrupt a conversation) Quality, Quantity, Manner, Relation.


Flouting these maxims can either be a sign that a person is losing power or asserting power depending on the context.


Erving Goffman:


Came up with - Politeness/Face theory


Said - "Face is the image that we present of ourselves to others"


Said - "Face is a persona we present in convesation. It changes from situation to situation."


Said - "Face is maintained by the AUDIENCE not the speaker. This is achieved by the LISTNER accepting the face presented to them by the SPEAKER, and generally being sensitive towards them."


Brown and Levinson:


Came up with - Positive and Negative Face


Said - "We meet the face needs of others through positive and negative politeness.


Came up with - Face threatening acts