Question Typology in Kenyan TV Argumentative Talk Shows
Loading...
Date
2024
Authors
Mwai, Loice W.
Maroko, Geoffrey M.
Orwenjo, Daniel O.
Ogutu, Emily A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Professional Discourse & Communication
Abstract
The argumentative talk on radio and TV has become a popular feature of media
discourse in Kenya. Question-answer sequences as the talk unfolds through the joint participation of co-participants in the talk have emerged as a means to put argumentative talk into effect.
Yet, the nature of questions and their categorization remain little understood. Given the recursive
nature of question-answer sequences, this paper investigates question typology that sets apart argumentative talk shows from other types of talk. The data consists of transcripts from two Kenyan
TV argumentative talk shows: Checkpoint on KTN and Opinion Court on Citizen TV. A question
classification scheme by Schirm [2008] was used to discuss the incidence and usage of questions
in argumentative talk shows. Findings revealed that clashing, rhetorical, classic clarifying, and
opinion-eliciting questions were the most frequently used types in the data sets. It was also noted
that different question types served unique rhetorical purposes leading to the conclusion that argumentative talk shows on TV exhibit recursive interactional resources qualifying it as a genre.
Description
Article
Keywords
media, question typology, genre, generic features, argumentative talk shows
Citation
Mwai, L. W., Maroko, G. M., Orwenjo, D. O., & Ogutu, E. A. (2024). Question Typology in Kenyan TV Argumentative Talk Shows. Professional Discourse & Communication, 6(1), 44-68.