Newsnight interview - Jeremy Paxman, Dizzee Rascal

Question 1

Genre

Answer 1

TV interview, Broadcast, Debate, exploratory journalism

This style aims to challenge the interviewee and explore deeper issues.

Question 2

Purpose

Answer 2

Discuss social matters, inform audience of political affairs, comment on social factors

Question 3

Who is the intended audience for the TV interview?

Answer 3

Politically engaged BBC audience, middle-class

Specifically, the viewers of Newsnight.

Question 4

What is the structure of the interview?

Answer 4

Alternating questioning-answer structure with interruptions and overlaps

This format creates a dynamic and engaging interaction.

Question 5

What is the lexis and semantics used by Paxman and Dizzee?

Answer 5

Paxman uses formal, interrogative lexis, Dizzee uses colloquial, hedging terms

Examples include terms like ‘innit,’ ‘like,’ and ‘you get me?’ which highlight a generational divide.

Question 6

What grammatical structure is noted in spoken discourse during the interview?

Answer 6

Elliptical structures, Paxman uses declarative interrogatives

This reflects the informal nature of spoken language.

Question 7

What spoken features are present in the interview?

Answer 7

Overlaps, fillers, false starts, adjacency pairs

These features are characteristic of natural spoken interaction.

Question 8

How would you describe Paxman’s tone and register?

Answer 8

Challenging

Paxman’s approach aims to provoke thought and elicit strong responses.

Question 9

What is Rascal’s tone during the interview?

Answer 9

Defensive but composed

Rascal’s demeanor suggests he is trying to maintain control despite the challenging questions.

Question 10

What is the context of the interview?

Answer 10

Post-Obama election (2008), debates about British multiculturalism

This context influences the themes and questions discussed in the interview.