The Self presentation skills of Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.

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Title: The Self presentation skills of Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.

My investigation is into the self-presentation skill of Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.

Communication studies: The essential introduction (2001) defines self –presentation as “Daily interactions with the world, which are conscious attempts to influence other people”.

Ervin Goffman offers the view that self – presentation is a extended form dramatic performance which we prepare for and at which we constantly work.

He states:

‘Life itself is a dramatically enacted thing’.

For my investigation I conducted observational research on Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela. These are my findings:

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Malcolm X was sensitive in his use of language with strong sense of what appropriate for his audience, switching register to suit the situation. Frequently he expressed himself in a formal register to signify respect and seriousness, yet he was also able to interweave colloquial language to show a common cultural identity with his audience. But even in formal mode, his lexis is kept simple to avoid semantic and psychological barriers, as in the following quotation:

“You can’t separate peace from freedom because none can be at peace unless he has his freedom”.

Often, he uses repetitions ...

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