Communication and Rhetoric in the Construction of a Leader's Reputation: The Case of Zelensky Cover Image

Communication et rhétorique dans la construction de la réputation d'un leader: le cas de Zelensky
Communication and Rhetoric in the Construction of a Leader's Reputation: The Case of Zelensky

Author(s): Márcia Marat Grilo, Adriana Mello Guimarães
Subject(s): Political Philosophy, Communication studies, Politics and communication, Rhetoric, Russian Aggression against Ukraine
Published by: ESSACHESS
Keywords: Zelensky; war in Ukraine; persuasive communication; rhetoric; crisis narrative;

Summary/Abstract: This article aims to examine the narratives used in the Ukraine-Russia war from the speeches given by Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky, focusing on how he communicates and uses rhetoric in his quest for a reputation that allows him to mobilize the international community in support of the Ukrainian cause. The methodology consisted of a literature search and content analysis conducted on a set of speeches in video format, broadcast live via videoconference and available online. Thus, the corpus consists of three speeches addressed to the European, French and Portuguese parliaments, respectively on March 1, March 23 and April 21, 2022. The study carried out allowed us to see that the Ukrainian president's message is similar in structural terms, always clear, direct, and containing a strong emotional appeal. His speeches can be seen as part of a strategy of spreading a message that aims to build a narrative about the conflict.

  • Issue Year: 16/2023
  • Issue No: 31 (1)
  • Page Range: 43-63
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: French