A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF SOME SELECTED POLITICAL POSTERS

ABSTRACT

This long essay focuses on the pragmatics study of selected political posters imprinted in the pages of selected newspapers. It seeks to identify the influence of pragmatic elements on encoded texts or utterance; it analyse the thought provoking influence of such political posters; the rules of pragmatics governing the use of language in this aspect. The data of choice were randomly selected (from the pages of THE NATION, THE SUN and THE VANGUARD newspapers) and the pragmatic elements were applied on them. Posters are capable of influencing the mind of the reader(s) when the context is taken into consideration, political ones for that matter. Implicitly, there are hidden intentions in most political posters. The pragmatic elements help to bring out the intended meaning of most posters. The outcome was evident in course of this research work. The study has shown that for political posters to perform their functions effectively, they must have in mind the reader’s ability to understanding their message through what is displayed.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

The dynamism of language as a powerful tool of communication cannot be over-emphasized. There is countless number of things which we could do or use to achieve. It is therefore, no surprise if language is used to influence decision in various ways (even in the field of politics). Can one really mention any particular field of endeavour that does not involve the use of language?

This bring us to the view about pragmatics; an aspect of language study. Communication in any society happens chiefly by means of language. However, the users of language as social beings communicate and use language in the society’s premises. Mey (2001), in his second publication: Pragmatics: An Introduction has this to say:

…pragmatics as the study of the way human being use their Language in communication, bases itself on a study of those Premises and determine how they effect and effectualize human Language use… (pp6)

With the above aforementioned extracted text, we therefore, take a critical look at pragmatics, its influence on the analysis of political posters. The strength it commands in influencing the needed effect.

1.2 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research work is to identify the influence of pragmatics elements on encoded texts or utterance; the meaning that is implied and the effect on the addressee. We do this with the use of deployed political posters (statements) in the field of politics. Besides exploiting the features of pragmatics, this study seeks to analyse the thought provoking influence of such political posters; the rules of pragmatics governing the use of language in this aspect.

This study, we hope, prioritize on the need to view utterance as instrumental in influencing necessary developmental changes. We also analyse the feature of context, among other things, as a necessary factor to understanding inherent objectives of most political posters. We intend to carry-out this work in relation to semantics since the synergy will help us in understanding of this research work.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the pragmatic study of some selected political posters. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out as follows to;

Examine the utterances that convey meaning in texts in political posters,
Determine the meaning decoded from utterance in context and in particular situation,
Evaluate the context contributed to the encoding and decoding of meaning in political posters,
Perceive the speakers and hearers utterances conveying a unique meaning in political posters.

1.4 Research Questions

The following are the question outlined in the research work;

Are they utterances that convey meaning in texts?
Does the speaker’s utterance convey a unique meaning in political posters?
Are they pragmatics in political posters?

1.5 Justification of Study

So far it has been discovered from the analysis of previous research that many a researcher, who have carried research works on this particular aspect of pragmatics and its use on political posters have left some unresolved issues which we hope to clarify. Previous or past works on this matter need be advanced with the hope that future researchers would find it worthwhile in making reference to this work as a stepping stone. The manipulation of language as pointed out in the work of Mey (2001, p308) in his publication Pragmatics: An Introduction is an issue that need be corrected. The author seems to view utterance (what he referred to as ‘manipulation’) from the negative aspect. It must be stated that not all manipulation of language are of diabolic intention. Mey (2001) gave limited information which we hope to expand. Conversely, this present work will take a deeper look at the utterance of political posters (i.e. word captions, pictures, and headlines etc), their pragmatic meaning and implication on the hearers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

There are many aspect of pragmatics in different fields, delving into all its parts in entire will be too daunting for this research work. It is, therefore, necessary to limit our research to a more specific unit. Herein, we make use of Leech’s (1983) Principles of Pragmatics as we attempt to define, describe, analyse, explain and subsume the core aspects of pragmatics.

This will, in no small way, help our understanding of some selected political posters i.e. applying those pragmatic features on samples of political newspaper headlines, pictures, captions etc entailing how meanings are decoded from them.

1.7 Methodology

The data of choice as used in this research work would be from randomly selected samples of political posters. By this, we mean deploying pragmatic elements, rules ad theories to captions, pictures etc in political aspect. These data material are randomly selected. We analyse them (i.e. The posters), the language and the affect they are trying to draw from the readers or hearers; the information they convey to the readership etc. we examine the level of understanding these political posters.

1.8 Description

The data of choice for our analysis focuses on the events building up to the 2011 elections, the presidency state visits, and legal tussle that characterised the previous election held in Nigeria. All these data were imprinted in the pages of newspapers that fall within the year 2010.

Majority of these data, seven of them precisely, were randomly selected from the THE NATION newspaper. Two of them were taken from THE VANGUARD newspaper. A datum was taken from THE SUN newspaper. The imprinted political posters in these daily newspapers were randomly analysed. We apply the pragmatic elements on these data wherever applicable.

The next chapter shall deal with theoretical aspect of pragmatics and the various postulations about pragmatics.

…

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …

Procedure for Downloading the PDF (Docx) Material

A Pragmatic Study of Some Selected Political Posters can be downloaded by requesting the full set of materials at the project or seminar cost. The document will be sent via Microsoft Word (MS-Word) format via WhatsApp (e-mail) following payment confirmation.

Seminar Material Cost
₦3,000

Project Material Cost
₦5,000

Request Complete Material

Complete Material Chapters of A Pragmatic Study of Some Selected Political Posters

Click here to request the Complete Material via WhatsApp including;

Preliminary Pages,
Chapter 1-5,
References and Appendix.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY PAGES

Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Purpose of the Study
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Justification of Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Methodology
1.8 Description
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Pragmatics
2.3 Historical Development of Pragmatics
2.4 Elements of Pragmatics
2.4.1 Context
2.4.2 Presupposition
2.4.3 Implicature
2.4.4 Inference
2.4.5 Participants
2.4.6 Topic
2.4.7 Intention
2.4.8 World Knowledge
2.4.9 Mutual Contextual Beliefs
2.5 Theories Of Pragmatics
2.5.1 SEARLE’S THEORY OF PRAGMATICS
2.5.2 Adegbija’s Theory of Pragmatics
2.5.3 H.P Grice’s Theory Of Pragmatics
2.5.4 K. BACH AND R.M. HARNISH’S THEORY OF PRAGMATICS
2.6 Definition Of Poster
2.6.1 Headline
2.6.2 Handbill
2.6.3 Placard
2.7 Conclusion
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Data Analysis
3.2.1 Datum one
3.2.2 Datum two
3.2.3 Datum three
3.2.4 Datum four
3.2.5 Datum five
3.2.6 Datum six
3.2.7 Datum seven
3.2.8 Datum eight
3.2.9 Datum nine
3.2.10 Datum ten
3.3 Research Design
3.4 Population of Study
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Research Instrument
3.7 Method of Data Collection
3.8 Method of Data Analysis
3.9 Questionnaire
3.9.1 Interview
3.9.2 Key Informants Interview
3.9.3 Observation
3.10 Statistical Analysis
3.11 Summary
3.12 Conclusion
CHAPER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "A Pragmatic Study of Some Selected Political Posters" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can the material for “The Effects of Different Seating Arrangements in Higher Education Computer Lab Classrooms on Student Learning, Teaching Style, and Classroom Appraisal” be used as a guide for Computer Education Project?

Yes it can be used — This study investigated the physical arrangement of workstations, seating and equipment in computer lab classrooms and its effect on the social and physical settings of the classroom. The literature suggests that information technology (IT) encourages students to “learn by doing” and therefore affects student learning and teaching style within the technology-rich classroom environment. Zandervliet and Straker believe that the physical design of the seating, computer placement, and arrangement of space is often overlooked when IT is integrated into classrooms. However, no current research was found to support whether or not the physical design of higher education computer lab classrooms affects student learning, teaching style, and student and teacher appraisal of the classroom. This study compared two differently arranged computer lab classrooms …

Can the material for “A Survey of Relevance of Business Education Program to Ecocomic Development of Nigeria” be used as a guide for Business Education Project?

Yes it can be used — The study surveys the relevance of business education program to economic development in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the specific objectives were set out to examine: the relevance of Business education program on economic development of Nigeria, how the Business education program in Nigeria is operated, and the relationship between Business education program and economic development of Nigeria. Business education is an essential element of this general education. It is concerned with the impactation of business orientation and knowledge for personal and national development. Business Education is a type of training which, while playing its part in the achievement of the general aims of education on any given level, has its primary objective as the preparation of people to enter …

Is the topic “Effect of Motivation Schemes on Construction Workers’ Productivity” recommended for Quantity Surveying (QS) Project?

Yes it is highly recommended — The research paper examines the Effect of Motivation Schemes on Construction Workers’ Productivity using a construction firms in Lagos, Nigeria as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out to; determine the motivating factors that enhances productivity of construction workers in Lagos, Nigeria, examine the impact of construction worker’ motivation on their productivity in Lagos, Nigeria, determine the impact of resistance to change on construction worker’ motivation in Lagos, Nigeria, and develop a model of the relationship between motivation, resistance and productivity in construction firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The barriers to motivational effectiveness which in this study is referred to as resistance factors to workers motivation as a way of addressing low productivity in the …

Can the material for “Design and Implementation of a Computerized System for Tariff Evaluation of Civil Servants” be used as a guide for Computer Science (CS) Project?

Yes it can be used — It is often easy to collect data about objectives of persons. However subsequent processing of such data presents problems especially when it involves numerous computations and retrieval of information. In the manual processing of large volumes of data too many mistakes can be made and much time wasted because of the ardors and cumbersome nature of associated tasks. This project is aimed at the design and implementation of tax evaluation system, for civil servant which will store all relevant information of a client, automatically processing the information of a scored generated document which the free pay allowance and tax due for the client, retrieve and display relevant information with regard to the client’s tax evaluation. The system has been designed to cater for …

Can the material for “The Effect of Conflict Management on Employee Performance” be used as a guide for Human Resource Management (HRM) Project?

Yes it can be used — Conflict management is a skill any organization requires, as no organizations actually exist without the existence of conflict. The study was carried to investigate the Effect of Conflict Management on Employee Performance using Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the impact of conflict on employee performance, find the means of managing conflict with the organization and emphasized the relationship between conflict management and the employee performance. The research design used in this report is descriptive design, utilizing questionnaire method to obtain information from the respondents for this project. A total of 150 (one hundred and fifty) respondents were selected for this study to represent the entire …

Can this topic “The Impact of Manpower Training and Development on Organizational Performance” be used for Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) Project?

Yes it can be utilized for research — The need for improved productivity has become universally accepted and that it depends on efficient and effective training is not less apparent. It has further become necessary in view of advancement in modern world to invest in training and development. Thus, this study attempts to explore the roles, functions and performance of effective personnel management in a developed organization. Human resources training and development helps to ensure that staff (manpower) possess the knowledge and skills they need to perform their job effectively for organization to grow. The findings and suggestions made are therefore intended to aid in the impact of manpower training and development on organization performance Particularly in Unilever Nigeria Plc. This research work is divided into five chapters; chapter …

Can the material for “Appraisal of Tourism Habits of Academic Staff” be used as a guide for Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Project?

Yes it can be used — The Tinapa Business Resort is one of the reputable tourist destinations and attractions in the country (Nigeria), and the world at large. Each year, thousands of tourists other visitors embark on trips to Tinapa. This study undertakes an evaluation of the Tinapa Resort with a view to have an insight into the achievement of the objectives for which the resort was established.The study analyzes the performance of the Tinapa Tourist Resort. It is an evaluation study which x-rays the functionality, efficiency and profitability of the Tinapa Tourist and Business Resort since inception. The study provides insight into the activities of the Resort as it highlights the volume of tourist visit, patronage of the various facility and activity areas and income …

Can the material for “Evaluation of Performance Appraisal in Private Sector Manufacturing Company” be used as a guide for Business Administration and Management (BAM) Project?

Yes it can be used — The main problem of this study is to survey performance appraisal in private sector manufacturing companies so as to find out to what extent this sector adopts the open reporting system of appraisal. Performance appraisal is now widely practiced in private sector but it’s purpose in mis-constructed as the whole exercise is geared towards salary administration. One main objective of performance appraisal should be to review the subordinate’s performance with him in order to identify his main strength and weakness, and where weaknesses are identified to find ways and means of removing such difficulties through training. Performance appraisal systems in private sectors have been characterized with non-disclosure of appraisal result to the employees. This apparent secrecy over performance appraisal results have …

Can the material for “Mycoflora Responsible for Spoilage of Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)” be used as a guide for Microbiology Project?

Yes it can be used — The study scrutinizes the Mycoflora Responsible for Spoilage of Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to isolate and identify fungi associated with post-harvest deterioration of sweet orange fruits, and isolate and identify the fungal organisms responsible for the post‒harvest spoilage of sweet orange fruits. A total of one hundred samples of fresh sweet Oranges (Citrus sinensis L) were used. First, a total of seventy samples were obtained from the three selected marketing centres in Sokoto metropolis (Central market, Kasuwar daji and Old market respectively), and transported immediately to mycology laboratory Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto for analysis. The oranges were kept under room temperature and observed after two weeks for spoilage. Each …

Can the material for “The Effect of Ethanol Extract of Desmodium Velutinum Stem on Some Marker Enzyme in Liver of Albino Rats” be used as a guide for Linguistics and Communication Project?

Yes it can be used — Present investigations were carried out on the effect of ethanol extract of Desmodium velutinum stem on some liver enzymes of albino wistar rats fed with high fat from cow”Ÿs brain. Twelve healthy albino wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I rats were fed with balanced diet (normal feed, that is grower”Ÿs mash) and tap water. Group II rats were fed with fat diet (cow”Ÿs brain) (3.6g/day) alone. Group III rats received combined mixture of 70% fat diet (cow”Ÿs brain) with 30% ethanol extract of Desmoduim elutinum stem (2.7g/day), Group IV rats were fed with fat diet (cow”Ÿs brain) and were administered with a drug atorvastatin (5mg/rat/day). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the experimental (two weeks) …