THE POWER OF WORDS: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF EMILY DOE’S COURT STATEMENT

Abstract

This paper focuses on the rhetorical strategies in Emily Doe's victim impact statement following her sexual assault by Brock Turner. The analysis is conducted within the discourse analysis theoretical framework to explore how Doe employs specific rhetorical devices such as pronouns, metaphors, antithesis, parallelism, and triplets to construct her narrative and convey her message. The findings show that Doe's effective strategic use of these rhetorical devices emphasizes her pain, resilience, and quest for justice, helping her reclaim her voice and identity. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the rhetorical power in victims' narratives.