Show – don’t tell: political rhetoric is increasingly anecdotal but not particularly artful

Atkins, Judi; and Finlayson, Alan (2012) Show – don’t tell: political rhetoric is increasingly anecdotal but not particularly artful [Online resource]

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Anecdotes have become one of the most common rhetorical devices in political speeches and debates to prove the success of policies or to illustrate that a leader is ‘down to earth’. Judi Atkins and Alan Finlayson explain why our politicians are ignoring Shakespeare and Keats and instead turning to ‘Holly from Southampton’ to prove their virtues.