Organizational Rhetoric : Situations and Strategies

by Mary F. Hoffman

• ISBN13: 9781412956697
• ISBN10: 1412956692
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-22
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Organizational Rhetoric:á Situations and Strategiesáintroduces students to a rhetorical approach to understanding, analyzing and creating organizational messages--for both internal employees and external customers.áThis textbook providesástudents a theoretically-grounded understanding of the basic building blocks of organizational rhetoric, the types of rhetorical situations faced by organizational communicators, and the specific strategies used to address six common organizational rhetorical situations (such as image management).á Students will gain an understanding of the power of organizations in contemporary society and be able to think critically about organizational messages. The text is organized in two units. In the first unit, authors Mary Hoffman and Debra Ford introduce the rationale for a rhetorical approach to organizational messages, and introduce the basic rhetorical building blocks and principles behind the rhetorical situation and the analysis of strategies. In the second unit, the authors cover six specific rhetorical situations commonly faced by organizations--image &BAD:amp; identity management, issue management, impression management, risk management, crisis management &BAD:amp; organizational apologia, and internal message management. Each chapter is structured similarly, in conjunction with the ideas developed in unit one, and each ends with a case study that exemplifies the content presented in that chapter.Features &BAD:amp; Benefits:The first unit in the text will introduce the details of analyzing situations and identifying strategiesThe second unit will examine six specific recurring rhetorical situations for organizationsOrganizational schema centered on ôsituations and strategiesöUse of real-life case studiesFocus on careers in organizational rhetoricFocus on thinking critically about organizations in society

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Organizations and Rhetoric in Contemporary Culture

Defining Rhetoric

Defining an Organization

Defining Organizational Rhetoric

Understanding Organizational Rhetoric

Characteristics of Organizational Rhetoric

Reasons for Studying Organizational Rhetoric

Goals for Studying Organizational Rhetoric

Practical Outcomes of Studying Organizational Rhetoric

A Process for Analyzing Organizational Rhetoric

Conclusion

Identifying Rhetorical Strategies in Organizational Rhetoric

Canon of Invention

Canon of Organization in Organizational Rhetoric

Canon of Style in Organizational Rhetoric

Canon of Delivery in Organizational Rhetoric

Interdependence of Invention, Organization, Style, and Delivery in Organizational Rhetoric

Canon of Memory in Organizational Rhetoric

Special Situations and Rhetorical Strategies

Conclusion

Worksheet for Identifying Rhetorical Strategies in Organizational Texts

Rhetorical Situations in Organizations

The Importance of Context in Rhetoric

Two Perspectives on Rhetorical Situations

The Rhetorical Situation in Organizational Rhetoric

Researching the Rhetorical Situation

Conclusion

Case Study: A Showdown Over Power in Texas

Worksheet for Describing Rhetorical Situations in Organizations

Critical Approaches to Organizational Rhetoric

Historical Overview

Key Ideas in Critical Approaches to Organization Studies and Organizational Rhetoric

Summary of the Key Concepts in Critical Theory/Perspectives

Making Choices: Ethics and Organizational Rhetoric

Conclusion

Note

Evaluating and Critiquing Organizational Rhetoric

Two Approaches to Analyzing Organizational Rhetoric

Conclusion

Worksheet for Conducting an Evaluative Reading

Worksheet for Conducting a Critical Reading

Identity Creation and Maintenance Rhetoric

The Foundation for Identity Rhetoric: Organizational Identity

Identity Building Rhetoric

Identity Maintenance Rhetoric

Evaluating and Critiquing Identity Creation and Maintenance Rhetoric

Conclusion

Case Study: "Who Says the Internet Is Only For Young People?" Identity and Disaster Relief

Rhetoric About Issues

Defining Issues and Issue Management in Organizations

Foundation for Understanding Issues Rhetoric: Issue Life Cycles

Issue Management: The Rhetorical Situation

Strategies for Rhetoric About Issues

Evaluating and Critiquing Rhetoric About Issues

Conclusion

Case Study: Menu Labeling---Healthy Idea or Big Brother?

Rhetoric About Organizational Risk

Defining Risk in Organizations

Foundations for Understanding Risk Rhetoric

The Rhetorical Situation for Risk Rhetoric

Strategies for Rhetoric About Risk

Evaluating and Critiquing Rhetoric About Risk

Conclusion

Case Study: No Bodies in My Backyard

Crisis Rhetoric

Defining Rhetoric About Crisis

Foundation for Understanding Crisis Rhetoric: Life Cycle of a Crisis

Crisis Management: The Rhetorical Situation

Strategies in Crisis Rhetoric

Evaluating and Critiquing Organizational Rhetoric About Crisis

Case Study: The Perfect Storm

Organizational Rhetoric for Internal Audiences

The Rhetorical Situation in Internal Organizational Rhetoric

Rhetorical Strategies for Internal Messages

Evaluating and Critiquing Internal Organizational Rhetoric

Conclusion

Case Study: A New Record---Transitioning to Electronic Medical Records

Epilogue: The Ancient Art of Rhetoric in a Complex Organizational World

Rhetoric in a Globalized Organizational World

Corporate Rhetoric in Nonprofit Organizations

Traditional Rhetorical Strategies in Contemporary Forms

The Environment as Situation and Strategy

Appendix: Worksheets for Analyzing Organizational Rhetoric

Worksheet for Identifying Rhetorical Strategies in Organizational Texts

Worksheet for Describing Rhetorical Situations in Organizations

Worksheet for Conducting an Evaluative Reading

Worksheet for Conducting a Critical Reading

References

Index

About the Authors

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