Chapter 3. Arguments and framing strategies in Italian public discourse about measures to contrast the Covid-19 pandemic
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Sarah Bigi
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has been described as a creeping crisis, which is a kind of crisis that develops slowly, threatens common values, and is partially or insufficiently addressed by authorities. In order for an event to appear as a “creeping crisis” citizens have to agree that it threatens common and core values. Only when this happens, a response can be organized. This study reports on arguments and framing strategies used by policy makers in Italy to define the virus and thus justify the restrictive measures meant to stop it. Attempts to persuade the population to adopt restrictive measures during the pandemic relied on pragmatic argumentation, in which values such as ‘life’, ‘health’ and ‘essential’ played a significant role.
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has been described as a creeping crisis, which is a kind of crisis that develops slowly, threatens common values, and is partially or insufficiently addressed by authorities. In order for an event to appear as a “creeping crisis” citizens have to agree that it threatens common and core values. Only when this happens, a response can be organized. This study reports on arguments and framing strategies used by policy makers in Italy to define the virus and thus justify the restrictive measures meant to stop it. Attempts to persuade the population to adopt restrictive measures during the pandemic relied on pragmatic argumentation, in which values such as ‘life’, ‘health’ and ‘essential’ played a significant role.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of figures vii
- List of tables ix
- Introduction. Genres and persuasion 1
- Chapter 1. Plural conversations about argumentation 24
- Chapter 2. Establishing starting points in Editorials 46
- Chapter 3. Arguments and framing strategies in Italian public discourse about measures to contrast the Covid-19 pandemic 71
- Chapter 4. Press releases of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers 92
- Chapter 5. Legitimation in contested industries 111
- Chapter 6. Argumentative style in international adoption dossiers 134
- Chapter 7. Persuasion and critical-theoretical thought 153
- Chapter 8. Argumentation and the “interaction of minds” in text 169
- Chapter 9. Argumentation in scientific discourse 189
- Chapter 10. Teaching to manage implicit linguistic meanings 211
- Chapter 11. Bentham on rhetoric 232
- Chapter 12. Engaging conspiracy theories 248
- Index 265
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of figures vii
- List of tables ix
- Introduction. Genres and persuasion 1
- Chapter 1. Plural conversations about argumentation 24
- Chapter 2. Establishing starting points in Editorials 46
- Chapter 3. Arguments and framing strategies in Italian public discourse about measures to contrast the Covid-19 pandemic 71
- Chapter 4. Press releases of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers 92
- Chapter 5. Legitimation in contested industries 111
- Chapter 6. Argumentative style in international adoption dossiers 134
- Chapter 7. Persuasion and critical-theoretical thought 153
- Chapter 8. Argumentation and the “interaction of minds” in text 169
- Chapter 9. Argumentation in scientific discourse 189
- Chapter 10. Teaching to manage implicit linguistic meanings 211
- Chapter 11. Bentham on rhetoric 232
- Chapter 12. Engaging conspiracy theories 248
- Index 265
