STRATEGIC COURTESY: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF POLITENESS IN DAWN NEWS EDITORIALS

Abstract

This research article presents a comprehensive pragmatic analysis of politeness strategies in Dawn News editorials, one of Pakistan's most prominent English-language newspapers. Through the lens of Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory, the study examines how linguistic choices are strategically employed to convey critique, foster social harmony, and maintain face in the context of socio-political commentary. The research analyzes ten editorials published by Dawn News, focusing specifically on positive politeness strategies and their contribution to the persuasive and communicative goals of the editorial discourse. Using qualitative research methods and purposive sampling, the study identifies various politeness strategies and explores their function in balancing persuasion and civility in shaping public opinion. The findings reveal that Dawn News editorials employ a sophisticated blend of positive and negative politeness strategies, using inclusive language, seeking agreement, asserting common ground, and employing hedging to maintain solidarity while delivering critical commentary. This research contributes to the understanding of media discourse in multicultural contexts and offers insights into how politeness strategies function as rhetorical tools in journalistic writing, particularly in societies where maintaining harmony while addressing contentious issues is essential