Intertextuality Analysis of the “Deal of the Century” in the Washington Post and Ad-Dustour Newspapers

Abstract

The study investigates the function of intertextual patterns (reported speech) as a discourse strategy to show the power and ideological stance in selected newspapers (The Washington Post (WP) and Ad-Dustour newspapers) regarding the "Deal of the Century". The study draws on Fairclough’s (1995) three-dimensional framework to compare the use of intertextuality in representing the “Deal of the Century” in news articles. The sample includes 14 articles (7 from WP and 7 from Ad-Dustour). The results showed that both newspapers use intertextuality to deliver their ideologies toward the plan. This is evident through the positive intertextuality used in WP's “Deal of the Century” representation. WP used intertextuality to draw a good picture of the plan's benefits. However, Ad-Dustour depicted the plan as a harmful initiative through the hostile speeches used. The ideology of both newspapers is evident and can be seen through the intertextuality pattern.