Encoding persuasive propagandistic discourse in Letters to the Editor on the Unification of Italy in the British press

This study analyses the use of persuasive propagandistic discourse in a specially compiled corpus of Letters to the Editor (LTE) on the Unification of Italy in the 1853-1871British press. A corpus driven approach integrated with discourse analysis was applied, the purpose being to investigate how the most frequent keywords, clusters and phraseology were used to construe persuasive propagandistic discourse to influence and shape the British public and support the freeing of Italy to lead its population towards social well-being. Findings highlight the use of specific discursive strategies that, though the term propaganda was not yet used, are still present in media discourse.