An Analysis of Stylistic Variables in Electronic Mail

Abstract

This article presents the results of a stylistic analysis of 200 samples of electronic mail memorandums gathered from four organizations. Through systematic counting of textual features such as sentence and paragraph length, grammatical types of sentences, sentence openers, and diction, the study examines patterns of rhetorical choice common to electronic mail. In this sample, writers combined elements of formal and informal discourse but preferred simple coordinate sentence patterns, brief paragraphs, and active verbs. Additionally, the serial structuring of message content and reluctance to coordinate and subordinate ideas into appropriate rhetorical patterns indicate a general inattentiveness to providing logical frameworks for readers.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1997-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651997011001001
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly

References (26) · 3 in this index

  1. A Glossary of Literary Terms
  2. The Elements of E-Mail Style
  3. Notes toward a New Rhetoric
  4. Discourse Production and Comprehension
  5. Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student
Show all 26 →
  1. Reflections on High School English
  2. American Scientist
  3. 10.2307/357176
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Analyzing Prose
  6. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms
  7. Revising Prose
  8. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  9. Literary Style: A Symposium
  10. Writing in Nonacademic Settings
  11. PMLA
  12. 10.1177/108056999305600213
  13. Writing in the Business Professions
  14. 10.1177/0002764288032002004
  15. Studies in Technical Communication
  16. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  17. 10.1287/mnsc.32.11.1492
  18. 10.2307/356552
  19. The Ethics of Rhetoric
  20. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace
  21. Style: Toward Clarity and Grace