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Article published In:
Journal of Argumentation in Context
Vol. 7:1 (2018) ► pp.33–71

Validating extremism

Strategic use of authority appeals in al-Naba’ infographics

| Georgia State University
| Georgia State University
| Georgia State University

Daesh’s centralized media operations provide a steady stream of media products to citizens living in and around its controlled territories, with the result that several nations occupied or adjacent to the group have emerged as many of the most fruitful recruiting grounds for new members. To better understand the argumentation strategies targeting such audiences, this study examines the 119 infographics in the first 50 issues of Daesh’s official weekly Arabic newsletter, al-Naba’. The findings suggest that through a patterned application of statistical, historical, religious, and scientific arguments from authority to predictable topical areas, the infographics in al-Naba’ reinforce Daesh as a key source of information for the citizenry of the proclaimed caliphate.

Keywords: arguments from authority, historical authority, infographics, ISIS, online media, public health and safety, religious authority, statistical authority
Article outline
  • 1.Al-Naba’: An overview
  • 2.Infographics in al-Naba’
  • 3.Arguments from authority: An overview
  • 4.Use of arguments from authority in al-Naba’ infographics
    • 4.1Statistical authority & campaign success
    • 4.2Historical authority & enemy relationships
    • 4.3Religious authority & social values
    • 4.4Scientific authority & public health/safety
    • 4.5Evolution of appeals to authority in al-Naba’ infographics
  • 5.Summary and conclusions
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 7 May 2018
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jaic.17014.win
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