Rhetorical Strategy in Forensic Speeches: Multidimensional Statistics-Based Methodology

Mónica Bécue-Bertaut (), Belchin Kostov, Annie Morin and Guilhem Naro

Journal of Classification, 2014, vol. 31, issue 1, 85-106

Abstract: Rhetorical strategy is relevant in the law domain, where language is a vital instrument. Textual statistics have much to offer for uncovering such a strategy. We propose a methodology that starts from a non-structured text; first, the breakpoints are automatically detected and lexically homogeneous parts are identified; then, the shape of the text through the trajectory of these parts and their hierarchical structure are uncovered; finally, the argument flow is tracked along. Several methods are combined. Chronological clustering of multidimensional count series detects the breakpoints; the shape of the text is revealed by applying correspondence analysis to the parts×words table while the progression of the argument is described by labelled time-constrained hierarchical clustering. This methodology is illustrated on a rhetoric forensic application, concretely a closing speech delivered by a prosecutor at Barcelona Criminal Court. This approach could also be useful in politics, communication and professional writing. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Keywords: Chronological clustering; Hierarchical constrained clustering; Correspondence analysis; Closing speech for the prosecution; Textual statistics; Textual data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00357-014-9148-9

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