Content Analysis of the Speeches of Bush and Musharraf on War against Terror

The present study critically analyses the political discourses of Bush and Musharraf’s speeches that account the war on terror issue. The data comprises of two speeches on war on terror. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study draws on Hsieh & Shannon’s (2005) content analysis to examine linguistic features, manipulative strategies, thematic and ideological stances and propaganda techniques in the speeches. The study reveals that language has been used as a manipulative tool to inculcate desired ideologies in the minds of recipients. Findings show that Bush and Musharraf instilled those ideological stances that suit their interests at large. The leaders had also adopted some propaganda frame and “glittering generalities” technique in their speeches. The highly ideological speeches are replete with the linguistic items that create a particular version of reality