The Strategies of Persuasion in Political Discourse: A Comparative Analysis of the Political Speeches of Arab and Non-Arab Leaders During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This paper investigated the persuasive methods in Arabic and non-Arabic political speeches during the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the similarities and differences between Arab and non-Arab leaders in using persuasive strategies. Data of the study consisted of the political speeches which were concerned with the Covid-19 situation in six different countries of the world, released between March and August 2020. The data analysis examines persuasive methods in political speeches and analyze them using Aristotle's triangle (Rhetorical Triangle). The analysis revealed that persuasive strategies based on Aristotle’s theory (400 B.C) were applied in the six leaders’ political speeches during the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the results indicated that the most frequently persuasive strategies used by the Arab leaders are pathos and ethos strategies. Of the three strategies, it could be observed that logos and ethos strategies were the most employed by non-Arab in their speeches.