Discourse and Evaluation in Modern English Poetry: A CDA-Based Exploration of Attitudinal Resources within the Appraisal Framework

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16760886

Abstract

Language in poetry serves as a powerful medium for expressing both shared social values and deeply personal emotions. This study applies the Appraisal Framework within the domain of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the attitudinal resources in a selected modern English poem by international poetess Lang Leav. Specifically, the analysis investigates how the poet constructs meaning through the sub-systems of Affect, Judgment, and Appreciation to convey emotional stance and value-laden evaluations. The findings reveal that the poem predominantly utilizes Affect and Appreciation resources to express emotional vulnerability and aesthetic contemplation, while instances of Judgment are comparatively less frequent. The overall evaluative pattern suggests a melancholic worldview, emphasizing themes of emotional loss and disillusionment in romantic relationships. This CDA-based exploration provides insight into how attitudinal language functions as a discursive tool in shaping the emotional and ideological dimensions of contemporary English poetry.

Keywords: Attitudinal   resources, Appraisal   system, Modern   English   poetry,   CDA, Worldview