Antithesis as Rhetorical Strategy in American Concession and Withdrawal Speeches: Harris (2024) and Biden (2024)
Hasan Alisoy1* 
, Zarifa Sadigzade1
Abstract. This article examines antithesis as a rhetorical strategy in two landmark American political speeches of 2024: Kamala Harris's concession speech at Howard University (November 6, 2024) and Joe Biden's withdrawal address from the Oval Office (July 24, 2024). Drawing on classical rhetorical theory, the genre theory of concession speeches, face theory, and Critical Discourse Analysis, the study identifies and analyses ten antithetical constructions in Harris's speech and twelve in Biden's. The analysis demonstrates that antithesis functions simultaneously at four levels: as a textual figure creating memorability and argumentative force, as a genre convention enabling speakers to concede while maintaining strength, as a pragmatic device managing the face of speaker, opponent, and supporters, and as a ritual element in democratic legitimation. The comparative analysis reveals that Harris's antitheses pivot from electoral loss to continued struggle, while Biden's pivot from personal honour to national duty — two distinct rhetorical tasks unified by the same structural device.
The article contributes to rhetorical studies by connecting figure theory to genre analysis in an under-theorised speech type.
Keywords: antithesis, rhetorical strategy, concession speech, withdrawal speech, political discourse, face theory, critical discourse analysis