The Art of Political Storytelling

Why Stories Win Votes in Post-truth Politics

The Art of Political Storytelling

Why Stories Win Votes in Post-truth Politics

Philip Seargeant (Author)

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Description

In our post-truth world, tapping into people's emotions has proved far more effective than rational argument - and, as Philip Seargeant argues in this illuminating and entertaining book, the most powerful tool for manipulating emotions is a gripping narrative.

From Trump's America to Brexit Britain, weaving a good story, featuring fearless protagonists, challenging quests against seemingly insurmountable odds, and soundbite after soundbite of memorable dialogue has been at the heart of political success. So does an understanding of the art of storytelling help explain today's successful political movements? Can it translate into a blueprint for victory at the ballot box?

The Art of Political Storytelling looks at how stories are created, shared and contested, illuminating the pivotal role that persuasive storytelling plays in shaping our understanding of the political world we live in. By mastering the tools and tricks of narrative, and evaluating the language and rhetorical strategies used to craft and enact them, Seargeant explains how and why today's combination of new media, populism and partisanship makes storytelling an ever more important part of the persuasive and political process. In doing so, the book offers an original and compelling way of understanding the chaotic world of today's politics.

Acknowledgements

Part I: Apocalyptic Politics
1. Setting the Scene
2. Let's Begin with the Facts
3. Popular Fiction

Part II: Shaping the Story
4. Explanatory Stories
5. What Makes a Good Story?
6. Dramatic Structure

Part III: Language and Rhetoric
7. Spectacle and Emotion
8. A Post-Truth Lexicon
9. Digital Disinformation

Part IV: Fiction and Reality
10. The Fabric of Reality
11. Conspiracy Politics
12. The Lie that Tells the Truth

Index

Product details

Published	May 14 2020
Format	Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition	1st
Extent	272
ISBN	9781350107403
Imprint	Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Philip Seargeant

Philip Seargeant is Senior Lecturer in Applied Lin…

Interesting and readable, this survey of the political storyteller's toolbox goes a long way to account for the recent successes of provocative populist leaders around the world and makes an enlightening guide to our current political moment ... 4 stars (of the hardback edition).

The Herald
A brilliant deconstruction of propaganda and how it co-opts dramatic and narrative technique, throwing into doubt truth, fact and identity (of the hardback edition).

Irish Times
Everybody with at least a fleeting interest in politics must read this book (of the hardback edition).

LSE Review of Books
The biggest strength of this book is the various examples analyzed within the overarching topic of storytelling and fake news ... The book also draws upon traditional literary theories to interpret current political trends, which offers a compelling theoretical attempt that deserves critical attention from fellow researchers in critical discourse studies ... An enjoyable text for whoever seeks to explore the troubling subject of post-truth politics (of the hardback edition).

LINGUIST List
In the first place there has to be a monster, a seemingly unbeatable foe that sweeps all before it and brutalises the citizens. And then of course, you need a hero, a leader, a figurehead for a rebel alliance fighting to reclaim paradise for the people. Is this Star Wars or just everyday politics? There is actually no great distinction, although there may be fewer Wookies in science fiction. This is the central and entirely correct contention of Philip Seargeant's The Art of Political Storytelling, an examination of how politicians win hearts by weaving narratives around themselves (of the hardback edition).

Robert Shrimsley, the Financial Times' chief UK political commentator
Philip Seargeant's utterly original and fascinating book provides a unique perspective on our current "post-truth" predicament. What to do when you realize that some (or even most) people are persuaded not by arguments but by stories? And what if some of those stories aren't true? The importance of narrative in political discourse is brilliantly illuminated. Read it and lament, read it and understand, or read it to learn how to win an election! (of the hardback edition).

Lee McIntyre, Author of 'Post-Truth' (MIT 2018) and Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, USA