Plan -
Overview - describing and explaining the text and what is happening, starting with 'because' or 'although'
PEE paragraph 1: Barrister intimidating Mr Neil as he has more instrumental and influential power, obvious signs that Mr Neil is battling for status, quotes "you cant remember whether they came to see you or not?" "I don't think they did no" - Goffman's face theory, Wareing's instrumental/influential power - political, Fairclough's unequal encounters - power asymmetry
Overview -
Because of the Barristers instrumental power, he appears to also have more influential power as opposed to Mr Neil, the power that the Barrister displays is reinforced by the judges. This shows a clear indication of power asymmetry between the participant. Despite the fact that Mr Neil doesn't have any instrumental power, there are obvious signs that there is a battle for status.
PEE Paragraph 1 -
"You cant remember whether they came to see you or not?". The Barrister's use of the personal pronoun 'you' displays influential power as it comes across as being intimidating which would make Mr Neil feel belittled. He uses his instrumental power to make Mr Neil feel of little value, this is because he is higher up. In a typical courtroom layout, the Barrister would be stood in front f the defendant which could also show a clear power asymmetry between the two participants. The defendant, in this case being Mr Neil is currently the low power participant in this spoken discourse as he is being patronised, perhaps the tone of the Barristers voice is harsh and probably making him feel uncomfortable. Mr Neil then interrupt the Barrister by saying "I don't think they did no", this could perhaps indicate that Mr Neil is battling for status as he is trying to become the more power participant despite the fact that he has neither the instrumental or the influential power that the Barrister upholds. It could also suggest that by Mr Neil not giving the Barrister a straight answer he is trying to avoid the question and raise his status by not being imposed on which is one Goffman's face theories.
Some great ideas here. One of the things that is important is clarity - because there are some possessive apostrophes missing, it looks like there are judeges rather than one judge. Check for that in all your work. Use 'holds' rather than 'upholds' - check the difference. Did you run out of time? The last point could do with exploration - how is Mr Neil not giving the barrister a straight answer - mine the quote. Very promising.
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