Fake News (based on English)

Hrankina D. V. Fake News (based on English) : Master’s thesis in Philology / supervised by S. E. Pereplotchykova. Kyiv, 2025. 108 p.

This Master's thesis investigates the linguistic-stylistic and communicative-pragmatic features inherent in English-language fake news. In an era of widespread information disorder, understanding the specific linguistic mechanisms through which “fake news” (encompassing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation) are constructed and achieve their persuasive impact is crucial.
The research establishes a theoretical framework drawing from linguistics, communication studies, cognitive psychology, and discourse analysis, focusing on concepts such as micro-linguistic manipulation, conceptual framing, speech act theory, and the exploitation of cognitive biases through language. It then outlines a qualitative methodology for the analysis of a curated corpus of approximately 50 verified English-language fake news items sourced from diverse platforms and covering various themes, including politics, health/science, and social conspiracies.
The empirical core of the thesis presents a thematic categorization of the corpus, followed by detailed analyses of the fake news. These analyses systematically deconstruct selected fake news items, identifying dominant linguistic features (e.g.: emotionally charged lexicon, mimicry of authoritative genres, assertive syntax, misleading implicatures) and communicative strategies (e.g.: leveraging false authority, exploiting fear, reinforcing partisan biases, creating deceptive frames). The study synthesizes these findings to reveal common patterns in how fake news is linguistically engineered to influence perception, evoke emotion, and mobilize audiences. It also explores the dynamics of fake news dissemination, public reaction, and refutation.
The thesis concludes that the linguistic construction of fake news is not arbitrary but involves the deliberate and systematic deployment of specific rhetorical and discursive strategies. Recognizing these linguistic markers is posited as essential for enhancing media literacy, developing more effective counter-measures against information disorder, and fostering a more critically engaged public within the English-speaking information ecosystem. The findings underscore the necessity of incorporating a nuanced understanding of language use into efforts to combat the proliferation and impact of fake news.