Positive self-Representations in Kamala Harris’s Concession Speech: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This paper is a critical discourse analysis of positive self- representations in Kamala Harris’s full concession speech. The paperis set with the main aim of identifying the positive self-representation in Kamala Harris’s concession speech. After losing the elections , the vice president needs an enthusiastic speech that carries positive implications for both herself and fellow citizens. Hence, this paper seeks to pinpoint the discourse strategies used to depict positive self- representations as well as pointing out the most and the least of utilizedstrategies.To achieve its aims, the study employs a model that is amalgam of Van Dijk’s (2002, 2006) models.
Analyzing its data, the study concludes that the vice president exploits the following strategies in her concession speech:norm expression, situation description, presupposition, actor description, lexicalization ,national self-glorification, disclaimer, metaphor, repetition, warning.Each strategy contributes to her attempt of depicting herself and her fellow citizen positively.
Forevermore, lexicalization, repetition and norm expressionsrate more than other strategies in her speech due to the fact thatthey help Kamala Harris enhance significant descriptions or attributions,emphasize what to do,and guide the public’s direction.