Camus rhéteur : stratégies de captation et efficacité discursive

Abstract

The editorial is a generic scene of the "literature of ideas". It offers a discursive space that may reduce the role of the reader, while emphasizing the presentation of the speaker. But far from the discursive terrorism to which the enthymematic speech is inclined, Camus' civic writings, especially at Combat and L'Express, involve the addressee as a central agent whose collaboration and common sense are constantly requested on serious matters. In fact, while agreeing about the duty to resist against the Nazi occupation or the tragedy that shakes his native Algeria, Camus as a journalist chooses the register of prolatio, and intends to leave some sort of reflexive space to his addressee. Based on pragmatic grounds, this analysis tries to show how Camus' rhetoric produces a journalistic discourse built on strategies of captatio and not manipulation.