Abstract

One of the most distinctive stylistic virtues of speechwriting is characterization, the art of capturing a client’s voice in a believable and engaging manner. This article examines characterization in the context of corporate communication, interweaving an interview with veteran executive speechwriter Alan Perlman with accounts from the ancient rhetorical tradition. As the analysis shows, Perlman’s approach to characterization confirms long-standing rhetorical wisdom yet incorporates insights that reflect the contemporary corporate context in which he has worked. The analysis also calls attention to enduring tensions in characterization—tensions between imitation and representation, effectiveness and ethics, and dramatic character and trustworthy ethos.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2011-04-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651910389147
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
OA PDF Green
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. College English

References (37) · 1 in this index

  1. 10.1177/002194369102800403
  2. 10.1080/00335636109382486
  3. 10.1080/01463379609370029
  4. Carey, C. ( 1996). Rhetorical means of persuasion. In A. O. Rorty (Ed.), Essays on Aristotle’s Rhetoric (pp. …
  5. An introduction to Aristotle’s Rhetoric
Show all 37 →
  1. Strategic Communication Management
  2. 10.1080/10417948909372780
  3. Travels in hyperreality (W. Weaver
  4. Business is not basketball (and other keys to understanding leadership)
  5. 10.1080/01463378809369712
  6. Einhorn, L.J. ( 1994). Ghostwriting: Two famous ghosts speak on its nature and ethical implications. In R. E.…
  7. 10.1017/S0009840X00203363
  8. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  9. Hughes, J.J. ( 1994). ‘‘Dramatic’’ ethos in Cicero’s later rhetorical works. In J. S. Baumlin & T. F. Baumlin…
  10. Confessions of a White House ghostwriter: Five presidents and other political adventures
  11. Eloquence in an electronic age: The transformation of political speechmaking
  12. Panel discussion presented at the annual convention of the National Communication Association
  13. Progymnasmata: Greek textbooks of prose composition and rhetoric
  14. Vital Speeches of the Day
  15. 10.1080/01463377809369282
  16. 10.1080/10510978609368223
  17. Rhetoric and criticism
  18. What I saw at the revolution. A political life in the Reagan era
  19. Patton, J.H. ( 2002). Jimmy Carter: The language of politics and the practice of integrity. In K. Ritter & M.…
  20. Writing great speeches: Professional techniques you can use
  21. Strategic Communication Management
  22. Presidential speechwriting: From the New Deal to the Reagan revolution and beyond
  23. Russell, D. ( 1990). Ethos and oratory in rhetoric. In C. Pelling (Ed.), Characterization and individuality i…
  24. 10.1080/03637754709374925
  25. White House ghosts: Presidents and their speechwriters
  26. 10.1080/10417947609372332
  27. Vital Speeches of the Day
  28. Eranos
  29. POTUS speaks: Finding the words that defined the Clinton presidency
  30. Ethos and pathos from Aristotle to Cicero
  31. The cast of character: Style in Greek literature
  32. Philosophy and Rhetoric