PERSUASIVE FEATURES: ARGUMENTATION AND PRACTICE IN THE COURTROOM

Authors

  • Sopiko Gvritishvili

Keywords:

persuasion, perception, features of language, opening statements

Abstract

Language is a powerful tool in communication and people can also use it while persuading other people. This article explores the concept of a general opening statement and the persuasive features accompanying. Employing certain linguistic features, lawyers are able to persuade the judge or the members of the jury to encourage them to view the events and participants in the light favorable for them. In addition, this paper examines the frequency of pronouns, phrases utilized to contrast their opinions with transitional phrases in persuasive argumentation. This also reveals the power of the language and seeks out to answer the following questions: 1. what kinds of pronouns are utilized in opening statements in the courtroom? 2. which other linguistic means are used in this part of the courtroom for persuasive argumentation? Finally, the paper emphasizes the role of the metaphor as an argumentative device and its contribution to achieving the final goal of the trial.

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Author Biography

Sopiko Gvritishvili

Sopiko Gvritishvili is a Ph.D. student at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Humanities. Her interests are related to Forensic Linguistics, application of linguistic knowledge, methods, and insights in the forensic context of law, trials, and judicial procedures. Sopiko is particularly interested in research based on the theoretical and practical understanding of communication in legal settings and the examination of Forensic Linguistic evidence. She has attended the course in the U.S at Chicago State University that covered the base of theoretical knowledge and research skills in Forensic Linguistics. She is going to maintain and improve professional competence as well. Sopiko teaches English at Tbilisi State University.

References

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Handbook of Forensic Linguistics. New York: Routledge, pp.296-314

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1461445613508900?journalCode=disa

McMenamin, G., 2002. Forensic Linguistics: Advances in Forensic Stylistics. Boca Raton: CRC Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429247972

McMenamin, G., 2010. Forensic Stylistics. Theory and Practice of Forensic Stylistics. In: M. Coulthard and A. Johnson, eds. The Routledge Handbook of Forensic Linguistics. New York: Routledge, pp. 487–507.

Wydick,R.C Plain English for Lawyers, 7-31-1978, Volume 66 | Issue 4

Published

2019-06-28

How to Cite

Gvritishvili, S. (2019). PERSUASIVE FEATURES: ARGUMENTATION AND PRACTICE IN THE COURTROOM. Online Journal of Humanities ETAGTSU, (4), pages 13. Retrieved from https://etagtsu.tsu.ge/index.php/journal/article/view/25

Issue

No. 4 (2019)

Section

Articles