1。3 Outline of the Thesis 2

2。 Literature review 2

2。1 Conversation analysis 2

2。1 Critical discourse analysis 3

2。2 Conceptual metaphor analysis 3

2。3 Multimodal Discourse Analysis 4

2。4 Other Researches on Political Discourse Analysis 4

3。 A Multimodal Analysis of the Debate 5

3。1 Description of MMAVEIDO Software 5

3。2 Procedures for the Analysis 5

4。 Analysis of the verbal features of the presidential debate 6

4。1 Sentence structure distribution 6

4。2 Repetition 7

4。3 Figure of Speech 9

4。4 Attack and defense strategies 11

5。 Analysis of the nonverbal features of the presidential debate 13

5。1 Super-fragmental features 13

5。1。1 Timbre 13

5。1。2 Pace 13

5。1。3 Pause 14

5。2 The correlative features between verbal and nonverbal language 15

5。2。1 facial expression 15

5。2。1。1 facial expression and timbre 15

5。2。1。2 facial expression and figure of speech 16

5。2。1。3 facial expression of debate and attack methods 16

5。2。2 Gestures 17

5。2。2。1 Concurrence of gestures and attack method of two candidates 17

5。2。2。2 Concurrence of gestures and figure of speech of two candidates 18

6。 Conclusion 19

6。1 Summary of Trump and Clinton’s style and strategy 19

6。2 Implication of this study 19

6。3 Limitations of this Study 20

1。Introduction

1。1 Background of the study

Since president JFK’s presidential election in 1960s, televised debates have become an important means for presidential nominees to elaborate the polices and expose weaknesses of their opponents so as to win the votes from electorates。 In the historic debate between JFK and Nixon, the general public of US citizens familiarize themselves with two candidates’ image, styles, policies and platforms。 The confidence and energy JFK manifested during the televised debates had favorable effects on his election as US president。 At current, the role of televised debates has become increasingly important because the access to the media and internet increases significantly since the advent of new communication technologies。 Both democrats and republicans see the debates on television a crucial showcase for their nominees to demonstrate the qualification and temperance as the president of the United States。来自优Y尔L论W文Q网wWw.YouERw.com 加QQ7520~18766

US general election is held every four years during which three formal presidential debates take place between candidates from the Democratic party and the Republican party。 Each debate is broadcasted by major news company and watched on television by audience within and beyond USA。 The 2016 general election received continuous attention both at home and abroad because Hilary Clinton from the democratic party and Donald Trump from the republican party are the most contentious candidates in history。 Experienced in politics and diplomacies, Hilary Clinton has become well-versed in political debates。 As a shrewd businessman, Donald Trump presents unique styles when debating。 Two distinctive styles in debates appeal to different audience and therefore have implications on the final result of the election。