THE POWER OF WORDS: HOW ENGLISH MEDIA SHAPES POLITICAL PERCEPTION

Abstract

Political messages in both traditional press and social media often rely on carefully chosen language to influence readers’ understanding of events and actors. This study examines how English-language media uses verbs, adjectives, and evaluative nouns to shape audience perception and evoke emotional responses. Selected headlines and social media posts were analyzed using qualitative discourse analysis, focusing on emotionally charged vocabulary, exaggeration, and framing techniques. The findings indicate that language choices create urgency, emphasize specific viewpoints, and guide readers’ interpretation. Recognizing these manipulative strategies is essential for developing critical media literacy and interpreting modern political discourse.