Unrealistic scenarios, metaphorical blends and rhetorical strategies across genres
In this paper I discuss a form of metaphorical creativity that involves the introduction of ‘unrealistic’ scenarios for rhetorical purposes in expository and argumentative texts. I primarily account for the nature and function of this form of creativity in terms of Fauconnier
and Turner’s (2002) notion of Blending, with some references to Conceptual Metaphor theory (Lakoff and Johnson 1980, 1999). I show that a proper account of the textual extracts I analyse needs to include the role of genre in the construction and interpretation of texts, and allow for
differences in meaning construction between writers and readers, and between different groups of readers.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 11 October 2010
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