Rahmung

Rahmung is a term used in German-language scholarship to refer to the process by which the presentation of an issue, event, or object is framed in a way that shapes interpretation and response. The concept treats a frame as more than a description; it is a cognitive and communicative structure that highlights certain aspects while downplaying others, thereby guiding audiences toward particular evaluations and actions.

Origin and usage: Derived from Rahmen, the term has been employed in sociology, media studies, political communication, and discourse analysis since the late 20th century. While closely related to the English term framing, Rahmung emphasizes the constructed nature of both content and context, including textual rhetoric, visual design, and institutional incentives.

Applications: In journalism, Rahmung analyzes how headlines, images, and expert quotes together configure a crisis as either a health risk, a security threat, or an economic challenge. In policy debates, it describes how proposals are framed as reforms, incentives, or protections, influencing public support.

Relation to other concepts: Related to frame analysis and agenda-setting; Rahmung encompasses debates about intentional manipulation versus emergent practice, and about the weight given to audience interpretation versus authorial intent.