Language Style in the Narrative Rhetorical Strategies of the Novel Sejambak Bakti

Abstract

Rhetoric is defined as the art of using language effectively to ensure that messages are communicate successfully and are capable of influencing reader’s thoughts and emotions. Although rhetoric is a fundamental element in the effectiveness of communication within literary texts, studies that systematically examine rhetorical strategies and language style in narrative rhetoric remain limited. Existing studies tend to treat these two aspects separately, thereby creating a gap in understanding how rhetorical strategies operate in an integrated manner to strengthen the conveyance of meaning, emotion, and values. The objective of this study is to identify the types of modern rhetorical theory proposed by Enos and Brown (1993) and to describe language style based on Henry Guntur Tarigan’s Language Style Model (1985) in order to strengthen understanding of narrative rhetorical strategies. The findings indicate that the author employs various rhetorical strategies, namely description, argumentation, exposition, persuasion, and narration. Narrative rhetoric was found to be the most dominant rhetorical strategy used in the novel. The use of language styles involving association, comparison, contrast, and repetition further strengthen the delivery of messages and enhances readers’ appreciation of the KOMSAS text. Overall, this study highlights the potential of Sejambak Bakti as an effective educational medium for the transmission of values and the development of students’ character.

Keywords: Novel, rhetoric, linguistics, language style, modern rhetoric theory, Malay Literature Component