The Master thesis entitled “A Pragma-dialectical Analysis of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Legal Case” was discussed at the college of Education in Al-Qadisiyah University in English Language and Linguistics by Mayasa Kadhim Farhan Alsalehi at Thursday 11/7 /2024 under supervision of Asst. Prof. Rajaa’ Mardaan Flayih.

Words play a crucial role in legal argumentation.  The current study examines the strategic maneuvering of the recent Johnny Depp and Amber Heard legal case (2022), as a primary source data, through the lens of pragma-dialectical theory. Many studies examine strategic maneuvering from various perspectives. Yet, there has not been enough focus on examining strategic maneuvering in civil court interactions. Besides, research on utilizing fallacies as topical potential and how audience demand embodies reasonableness has not been widely used. Thus, the current study seeks to fill in this gap by examining the strategic maneuvering of the pragma-dialectical theory in the data under investigation. The study aims to investigate if reasonableness predominates over effectiveness or vice versa, to identify the most frequently utilized presentational devices, and to determine the most prominent fallacy. Some of the questions addressed include whether reasonableness and effectiveness are balanced, how audience demands and topical potentials are appealed to. To answer these questions and to achieve its aims, the study adopts an eclectic model based on van Eemeren (2010), McQuarrie and Mick (1996), and van Eemeren and Houtlosser (2006) following qualitative research method to analyze fifteen purposefully selected trial extracts. The study has found an imbalance between reasonableness and effectiveness, with effectiveness being dominating that the text frequently meets audience demand by adhering to critical discussion norms, yet more rule violation occurs during the argumentation stage. Furthermore, fallacies, particularly the ad hominem, are used in topical potential, whereas figures of speech, primarily metaphors, are used moderately. Finally, the study has shown that strategic maneuvering is effectively utilized to settle in favor of Depp. 

The examining committee consist of the esteemed professors: 

 1 Prof. Nawal Fadhel Abbas (Ph. D)/ University of Baghdad/ College of Education for Women/ Chairman

 2 Asst. Prof. Angham Abdul Kadhim Abdulaali (Ph. D)/ University of Al-Qadisiyah/ College of Education/ Member

 3 Asst. Prof. Besma Khalid Ingeish/ University of Al-Qadisiyah/ College of Education/ Member

 4 Asst. Prof. Rajaa’ Mardaan Flayih/ University of Al-Qadisiyah/ College of Education/ Member and Supervisor

 The thesis was awarded with a very good grade and heartily congratulations to the researcher and her supervisor.