STORYTELLING TECHNIQUE IN THE BORIS JOHNSONS’ FIRST SPEECH AS A PRIME MINISTER, 07. 24. 19

Abstract

The following work is devoted to the problem of storytelling technique within the Boris Johnsons’first speech as a Prime Minister of the UK, 07.24.19. It is stated that the Boris Johnsons’ first speech as a Prime Minister of the UK is a political, institutional, ideological, media and mass-communicative discourse with the focus on the idea of Brexit, or withdrawal from the EU, as the most relevant idea for the UK community. It is pointed out that Boris Johnsons’ speech has the features of narrative. It is underlined that Boris Johnsons’ message has the narrative structure: introduction, main body and end. It is stated that Boris Johnsons’ first speech as a Prime Minister of the UK contains the theme and the idea of it, where the theme is Boris Johnsons’ appointment as a Prime Minister and future plans of the UK development as realization of his Cabinet policy, and the idea of it is the necessity tо implement Brexit as the only way for better life in the UK. It is stressed that the Boris Johnsons’ first speech as a Prime Minister of the UK contains the division into enemies and heroes. The opponents of Brexit are shown as enemies in Boris Johnsons’ speech and his team with the UK population is shown as heroes struggling with the enemies for their values – Brexit. Heroes are known to have their potential, as well as certain plan to win enemies. It is stressed in Boris Johnsons’ speech that the condition of their victory against enemy is their being ready for Brexit and their being united. The end of the Boris Johnsons’ story is optimistic, as enemies will not succeed. It is stated that Boris Johnsons’ story resembles fairy-tale with its happy end. It is underlined that storytelling technique as part of manipulative one is used to influence addressee for the pragmatic purposes of speaker. It is stressed that storytelling technique of the Boris Johnsons’ first speech as a Prime Minister of the UK is focused on the problem of addressee acceptance of Brexit. It is stated that storytelling technique in Boris Johnsons’ speech is grounded on speaker’s depiction of real facts issued for real facts, is based on hero/enemy separation, on enemy imaging, on enemy fighting and imminent victory over enemy.