Welcome to Power in Discourse

In this chapter, we are going to explore how power works in the world around us. Have you ever noticed how your headteacher speaks differently to you than your friends do? Or how a politician uses specific words to make you trust them? That is what we call power in discourse.

We will look at three main areas: Institutional (like schools or the law), Workplace (offices and jobs), and Political settings. Understanding these will help you ace Component 02 Section B, where you’ll need to analyze how power is "represented" in a multi-modal text (a text with words and images).

Note: For a guide on how to structure your actual exam answer, see the chapter on "Structuring a response to a power-focused multi-modal text."

1. Institutional Power: The Rules of the Game

An institution is an organization that has its own set of rules and traditions, like the police, the government, or a school. In these places, power is often instrumental—this means the power is already there because of the person's job title or the law.

How to spot it:

  • Asymmetrical relationships: This is a fancy way of saying the power is unequal. One person has the right to speak more, ask questions, or give orders (e.g., a judge vs. a defendant).
  • Gatekeeping: Institutions often use language to "let people in" or "keep them out." If you don't understand the complex lexis (vocabulary) of a legal document, the institution holds the power over you.
  • Formal Register: Institutions rarely use slang. They use a very formal style to maintain a sense of serious authority.

Quick Tip: Think of a school assembly. The teacher stands at the front (physical power) and uses imperatives like "Sit down" or "Listen." The students' role is to listen and follow the discourse markers (words like "Firstly," "Next," "Finally") that the teacher uses to control the flow of the meeting.

2. Workplace Discourse: Getting the Job Done

In the workplace, language is used to achieve goals. This is often called Goal-Oriented Speech. Power here can be more subtle than in a courtroom.

Key features to look for:

  • Professional Jargon: Using technical terms (e.g., "synergy," "KPIs," "deliverables"). This creates a sense of belonging for those who know the words and excludes those who don't.
  • Phatic Communication: This is "small talk" (e.g., "How was your weekend?"). In a workplace, a boss might use small talk to make their power seem more friendly or to build rapport with employees.
  • Mitigated Imperatives: Instead of saying "Do this report," a polite boss might say, "Would you mind finishing this report by five?" This is still a command, but it is "softened" to be more socially acceptable.

Did you know? Even though a boss might sound like they are asking a favor, the pragmatics (the underlying meaning) tells us it is still a direct order because of the workplace hierarchy.

3. Political Discourse: The Power of Persuasion

Politicians don't always have the power to force you to do things; instead, they have influential power. They use language to persuade you to agree with them or vote for them.

Common techniques:

  • Pronoun Choice: Politicians love using "We" and "Us" (the collective first-person). This makes the audience feel like they are on the same side as the politician (inclusive language). Conversely, they use "They" to describe opponents, creating a "them vs. us" divide.
  • Rhetorical Devices: Using "the rule of three" (e.g., "Education, education, education") makes a point sound more powerful and memorable.
  • Modal Verbs: Using words like "will," "must," or "shall" shows certainty and authority (e.g., "We will build a better future").

Key Takeaway: Political power is often about representation. The politician wants to represent themselves as a strong leader and their ideas as the only "common sense" option.

4. Using the "Five Language Levels" to Analyze Power

In your exam, you must use the five language levels to describe how power is working. Here is a quick cheat sheet for what to look for:

1. Lexis and Semantics

Does the text use jargon? Are there many emotive words meant to scare or inspire? Look for honorifics (titles like "Sir," "Professor," "Your Honor") which signal status.

2. Grammar and Morphology

Look for imperatives (commands) which show direct power. Look for the passive voice (e.g., "Mistakes were made" instead of "I made a mistake") to see if someone is trying to avoid taking responsibility.

3. Pragmatics

What is the "unspoken" power dynamic? Is there a positive politeness strategy (trying to make the other person feel good) or a negative politeness strategy (trying not to impose on them)?

4. Discourse

Who controls the conversation? In a transcript, look for interruptions or overlaps. Usually, the person with the most power decides when the conversation starts and ends.

5. Phonetics, Phonology, and Prosodics

In spoken data, look at stress and intonation. Does a person emphasize certain words to sound more commanding? Do they use a "rising intonation" at the end of a sentence that makes them sound less sure of themselves?

5. Multi-modal Power: Words + Images

Since Component 02 Section B focuses on multi-modal texts, you must also look at graphology (how the text looks):

  • Size matters: Is the headline in huge, bold letters? This is a visual way of asserting power and grabbing attention.
  • Logos and Branding: An official logo (like the NHS or the Police) gives the text instant institutional authority.
  • Images: Is the person in the photo looking down at the camera (powerful) or looking up (submissive)? Are they wearing a uniform (symbolic power)?

Quick Review Box:
- Institutional Power: Power from a system or job title.
- Workplace Power: Goal-oriented, uses jargon and polite commands.
- Political Power: Persuasive, uses "we/us" and rhetorical patterns.
- Multi-modal: Power is shown through both words and visual design (graphology).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't just list terms: It’s not enough to say "this is an imperative." You must explain why it’s used. For example: "The writer uses the imperative 'Stop' to assert their institutional authority over the reader."
2. Don't forget the images: If there is a picture or a specific layout, talk about it! Graphology is part of the "power" of the text.
3. Stay focused: Don't talk about gender unless the question asks for it. Keep your focus purely on power for this section.

Next Step: Now that you know what power looks like, check out the chapter on "Power theories and issues applied to an unseen text" to see how to put this into practice!