Communication ETDs

Publication Date

11-27-2001

Abstract

The present study sought to discover and investigate a unique category of unsolicited, non-paradigmatic letters received by organizations, particularly those with high visibility or whose purposes are controversial. To accomplish this objective, the present study used the rhetorical method of generic analysis, to study 30 unsolicited letters sent to Los Alamos National Laboratory during the years 1999-2000. Generic analysis provides information about the worldview and strategies employed by the letter writer and the parameters within the rhetorical transaction and delivery of his or her message.

The present study asks two questions: (1) Does a genre of unsolicited, non­paradigmatic letters exist? (2) If a genre of these specific letters does exist, what are its communicative features? After content analysis for stylistic and substantive communicative events, the present study finds a "genre" of unsolicited, non-paradigmatic letters exists within the 30 considered letters. Specifically, the present study discovered five distinct categories of central principle around which the letters are written.

The product of this analysis was the identification of five unsolicited, non­paradigmatic organizational principles of the letter writers: (1) letters written as confessions to the organization. (2) letters written offering service to the organization. (3) letters written to the organization analyzing certain problems and offering solutions to those problems. (4) letters written seeking help from the organization. (5) letters written threatening individuals within the organization or the organization.

The present study shows that patterns of communicative style and substance tend to emerge when viewing these types of letters as a communicative genre. Recognition of this unique discursive phenomenon elevates responders to a more strategic vantage point from which to evaluate communicative patterns of potential high-risk behavior.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Communication

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Communication and Journalism

First Committee Member (Chair)

Everett M. Rogers

Second Committee Member

Bob Gassaway

Third Committee Member

Jack C. Condon

Fourth Committee Member

Helen J. Muller

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