Kenyan newspaper course: An investigation in typology and ideology

Abstract

In this dissertation, we subject samples of three sub-varieties of newspaper language -that is, news-reporting, editorials and news-analysis -to a stylistic and then a discourse analysis. Texts are examined mainly at the levels of grammar, vocabulary and graphetics. The aim is to provide a descriptively adequate account of newspaper language and subject the same to a critical discourse analysis to explicate the ideological underpinnings present in newspaper language. This accounts for the title of this dissertation in terms of the twin aim of typology and ideology. The first aspect of this study then is based on a stylistic analysis which recognises the centrality not only of news report but also that of interpretive journalism, here represented by editorials and news-analysis, in the definition of the modem newspaper. This dynamism on the part of the press demands new investigations in the study of style among other areas to keep abreast of the developments. The process here consists in analysis of each sub-variety which is then compared with the other sub-varieties to note all the stylistically significant information. After the stylistic analysis, each section is subjected to a critical discourse analysis. This takes place in each sub-variety after a stylistic analysis to highlight the ideology inherent in the basis of a sub-variety (what we also refer to as the generic basis of a sub-variety) and that of particular sample texts in the appendix. This dissertation then is organised in such away that it starts with a general introduction which spells out the background history of the press in Kenya, the aim of the study and statement of the problem before looking at the literature review. We then state the conceptual framework to the study, the scope, the hypotheses and methodology to be used. In chapter two we discuss the theoretical issues in the twofold areas of stylists and critical discourse analysis. Here, the various concepts of style are discussed and our position stated , before looking at the theoretical tenets of critical discourse analysis and the methodological principles. The third and fourth chapters deal with the analysis of news reporting, editorial and news analysis respectively. Chapter five offers the summary and conclusion of this work. Immediately after this we attach an appendix for the demonstration of some aspects that could not be covered within the respective chapters and as sample texts.