Toward an Understanding of Gender Differences in Written Business Communications: A Suggested Perspective for Future Research

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jan 1990

Toward an Understanding of Gender Differences in Written Business Communications: A Suggested Perspective for Future Research

Elizabeth Tebeaux Mitchell Institute

Abstract

Empirical studies of gender-based language differences have provided con flicting, discreet conclusions that have little relevance for business- communications instruction. This paper presents informally collected obser vations of male and female students in undergraduate and graduate business- and technical-communication courses. Calling for future formal studies to verify its findings, this study concludes that people-intensive work experience modifies gender-based language differences in written business communica tions of undergraduate and graduate students. However, instruction in audi ence analysis, tone, content design, and style also modify these gender differences. If formally supported, these observations would help teachers argue for the value of business-communications instruction in helping stu dents develop varied and androgynous communication styles important for job-related communications.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 1990-01-01
DOI: 10.1177/105065199000400102
Open Access: Closed
Topics: graduate education multimodality translingualism voice and style

Citation Context

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