Scientific persuasion and use of language forms

A rhetorical enquiry of climate change publications in Namibia

Abstract

The paper sought to explore the dynamics of the rhetoric of the language of science on climate change publications. The arguments presented in this paper were drawn from the theoretical framework that saw rhetorical argument and discourse as an important feature of scientific publications. This research paper aimed at making a consequential input to an ongoing debate about climate change in Namibia and the world over; the use of rhetorical devices in the construction of knowledge about climate change; analysis and exploration of rhetorical elements employed by science researchers. The research was inspired by the study of rhetoric. As such the research looked at the progression of persuasive methodical argument and facts, as a result providing a clear understanding of how scientific publications influence government policy on climate change. The paper adopted a qualitative approach. Rhetorical interpretations of science publications seemed complex, as such required a research design that enables such complexity to be analysed and explored. The paper found that different rhetorical moves were used by the authors of the analysed documents, to try and persuade policymakers and the public. The study revealed the frequent use of scare tactics by the authors to try and persuade the public about climate change. Moreover, the study exposed the presence of the language forms that seemed to rely on perpetual persuasive techniques to persuade the current and future generations.