Impoliteness strategies in the daily show with jon stewart

Abstract EN

In this paper, the researcher looked at how The Daily Show with Jon Stewart employed impoliteness strategies to criticize the status quo in the United States.

The researcher specifically analyzed episodes from April, May and June, 2013.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses were used to decide on the most common kinds of impoliteness strategies.

Culpepper's (1996, 2005) model of impoliteness was used and the results showed that only four superstrategies were used.

The most common superstrategies were “bald-on-record” and “negative impoliteness” exemplified in “condescend, scorn or ridicule”, and the least common were “positive impoliteness” and “off-record”.

This showed that Stewart did not care much about the feelings of people who were the targets of criticism since he wanted what was best for his country.

The use of direct criticism and ridiculing the targets also showed how the media in the United States of America had a lot of power.

The ability to openly criticize the presidents and politicians showed how much influence the media had over people.