Characteristics of Australian Political Language R...

Characteristics of Australian Political Language Rhetoric：Tactics of Gaining Public Support and Shirking Responsibility

Abstract：The article explores how language can been used as a resource of cultural value and creative power in Australian English.The paper reveals how Australian politicians use political language rhetoric as a powerful tool in gaining political advantages.Several segments of so-called“public discourse”have been analysed，but the author mainly focuses on two areas of speech：how politicians use their language skills in gaining public support，and how they shirk responsibility.Special discoursal features of these speeches have been compiled and categorised.The speeches are studied from the various angles of discourse analysis and political rhetoric techniques.

keywords：public discourse；Australian political discourse；discoursal features；political rhetoric techniques；targeting strategy；enforcement strategy；avoidance strategy