English Popular Science Videos with Storytelling Elements: A Linguistic Approach

The article provides a linguistic description of popular science videos with storytelling elements. In particular, the research gives the analysis of the discursive formulas (means of language of compositional and lexical-syntactic levels) used in modern popular science narratives. Taking into account the characteristics of storytelling as a technology of influencing the audience through fascinating story texts, the following language tools have been distinguished: 1) constructing a narrative around a central fictional character / animation of the story; 2) the inclusion of stories from the lives of famous personalities into the general outline of the narrative; 3) metaphorization; 4) the use of emotionally colored words and evaluative vocabulary; 5) the use of question-and-answer forms of narration (rhetorical questions, special and general questions followed by a detailed answer); 6) the inclusion of imperative structures in the narrative. The results of the study show that the most frequent lexical tool is emotionally colored and evaluative vocabulary. This can be explained by an important role of emotions in the process of communication and world cognition. In addition, one of the significant aspects of storytelling is the ability to establish an emotional connection with the target audience. The research contributes to the pragmatic aspects of communication and can be continued in terms of description of strategies and tactics of speech interaction within the framework of popular science discourse.