The Confluence Of Rhetoric And Science: A Rhetorical Enquiry Of Climate Change Publications In Namibia

ABSTRACT

The thesis explored the dynamics of the rhetoric of the language of science on climate change

publications. The arguments presented in this study were drawn from a theoretical framework

that saw rhetorical arguments, texts and general discourse as instruments of communication of

science publications on climate change in Namibia. Thus, Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST)

was used in this study. The theoretical framework of the study was extended to incorporate the

Aristotelian rhetorical theory. The study aimed at making a consequential input to an ongoing

debate about climate change in Namibia and the world over; the use of rhetorical devices in the

construction of knowledge about climate change; analysis and exploration of rhetorical

elements employed by science researchers.

The research was inspired by the study of rhetoric. As such the study looked at the progression

of persuasive methodical arguments and facts, as a result providing clear understanding of how

scientific publications influence government policy on climate change. The study adopted a

qualitative approach. By employing the qualitative approach the emphasis was to discover and

understand the epistemological dynamics of rhetoric of science. Rhetorical interpretations of

science publications seemed complex, and as such required a research design that enabled such

complexity to be analysed and explored. Against this background, this study used the

qualitative methodology of desktop research. As a desktop study, the researcher analysed

existing climate change sources or publications. The study found that different rhetorical moves

and strategies were used by the authors of the analysed documents to try and influence policy

makers and the public.

The study revealed the frequent use of scare tactics by the authors to try and persuade the public

regarding climate change. Moreover, the study exposed the presence of language forms that