Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2016

Shifting Rhetorical Norms and Electronic Eloquence

April A. Kedrowicz North Carolina State University ; Julie L. Taylor California State University, San Bernardino

Abstract

Advances in digital media have made an impact on traditional rhetorical culture, thus shifting expectations and norms associated with orality and public presentation. Technology, entertainment, and design (TED) talks represent a new genre of presentation characteristic of Jamieson’s notion of electronic eloquence in that presenters weave together an engaging narrative complete with a strong visual presence. This study applies Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory to explore how students make sense of TED talks. Students responded to two questionnaires in two different classes: a basic public speaking course and a technical communication course. The results suggest that students learn vicariously through viewing mediated presentations, thus shaping their view of public speaking as a coproduced, networked, and engaging narrative. The authors offer recommendations for communication practitioners related to electronic eloquence and the rhetorical tradition.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2016-07-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651916636373
Open Access
Closed
Topics
digital rhetoric multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Menagarishvili et al. (2026)
    Configurations and Modalities: Student Preferences about Individual/Collaborati…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Sánchez (2019)
    Trans Students’ Right to Their Own Gender in Professional Communication Courses…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Martin et al. (2018)
    Stories They Tell
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Gerding et al. (2017)
    When Is a Solution Not a Solution? Wicked Problems, Hybrid Solutions, and the R…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Porter (2009)
    Recovering Delivery for Digital Rhetoric
    Computers and Composition
Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
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  2. 10.1080/03634520601173136
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CrossRef global citation count: 19 View in citation network →

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