Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2004

A Generational Approach to Using Emoticons as Nonverbal Communication

Franklin B. Krohn SUNY Fredonia

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to help determine whether the use of emoticons in computer mediated communication (CMC) are truly nonverbal cues. A review of the literature revealed that the traditional nonverbal theorists failed to predict the future employment of nonverbal cues in electronic CMC. A variety of emoticons are then described including the traditional happy face ☺ and sad face ☺, numerous variations of faces employing keyboard keys, a number of abbreviations commonly in use, and FLAMING. Inasmuch as emoticons are presently in widespread though informal use, the problem of how and what business communication instructors should teach about emoticons is discussed. The conclusion reached is that of a generational recipient determinism. It is recommended that recipients who are Traditionalists (born before 1946) should not be sent e-mail with emoticons; those who are Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) probably should not be sent e-mail with emoticons; those who are Generation Xers (those born between 1964 and 1980) may be sent e-mail with some of the more commonemoticons; and those who are termed Millenials (bornafter 1980 and coming of age after 2000) may be sent e-mail with generous use of emoticons.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2004-10-01
DOI
10.2190/9eqh-de81-cwg1-qll9
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
professional writing digital rhetoric book reviews
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. De et al. (2024)
    Managing Uncertainties in Technology-Mediated Communication: A Qualitative Stud…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Lauer et al. (2019)
    Redefining Writing for the Responsive Workplace
    College Composition and Communication
  3. Chang (2016)
    EFL Reviewers’ Emoticon Use in Asynchronous Computer-Mediated Peer Response
    Computers and Composition
  4. Garrison et al. (2011)
    Conventional Faces: Emoticons in Instant Messaging Discourse
    Computers and Composition
  5. Stephens (2008)
    Optimizing Costs in Workplace Instant Messaging Use
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (28)

  1. 10.1177/108056999806100208
     ↗
  2. Hall E. T. (1959)
    The Silent Language
  3. Mehrabian A. (1971)
    Silent Messages
  4. Knapp M. L. (1972)
    Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction
  5. Ruesch J. (1956)
    Nonverbal Communication: Notes on the Visual Perception of Human Relations
Show all 28 →
  1. Dance F. E. X. (1967)
    Toward a Theory of Human Communication
  2. 10.1177/002194369503200206
     ↗
  3. Blackman B. and Clevenger T., On-Line Computer Conferencing: Surrogates for Nonverbal Behavior, paper present…
  4. Rutter D. (1987)
    Commuting by Telephone
  5. Ekman P. (1975)
    Unmasking the Face
  6. Big O's Help Page, (2003). Available at http://community-2.webtv.net/Big()Y2K/BigOsHelpPage/page5,html.
  7. Robson J., BizOps Secrets, 2003. Available at http://www.allprobiszops.com.
  8. Carter K. A. (2003)
    ETC, A Review of General Semantics
  9. Collins M., Flaming: The Relationship between Social Context Cues and Uninhibited Verbal Behavior in Computer…
  10. 10.1177/108056990306600205
     ↗
  11. Boone L. E. (1997)
    Contemporary Business Communication
  12. 10.1177/108056990306600104
     ↗
  13. Lancaster L. C. (2002)
    When Generations Collide
  14. Howe N. (2000)
    Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation
  15. Krohn Franklin B. (1978)
    American Business Communication Association Bulletin
  16. Krohn Franklin B. (1981)
    Medical Group Management Journal
  17. Krohn Franklin B. (1983)
    English Journal
  18. Krohn Franklin B. (1984)
    Journal of Business Education
  19. Krohn Franklin B. (1992)
    Marketing News
  20. 10.1080/08832323.1994.10117713
     ↗
  21. Krohn Franklin B. (1994)
    Marketing Educator
  22. 10.1080/23298758.1994.10685568
     ↗
  23. Krohn Franklin B. (1990)
    College Student Journal
CrossRef global citation count: 77 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Communication Design Quarterly Sep 2025
    Review of "Queer Techné: Bodies, Rhetoric, and Desire in the History of Computing by Patricia Fancher," Fancher P. (2024). Queer techné: Bodies, rhetoric, and desire in the history of computing. National Council of Teachers of English. ↗
    Thomas Gurinskas
    rhetorical criticism technical communication professional writing archival research digital rhetoric gender and writing book reviews
  2. Res Rhetorica Mar 2025
    Persuasiveness of inclusive language in organizational communication ↗
    Jacek Wasilewski; Agata Kostrzewa
    collaborative writing assessment professional writing digital rhetoric book reviews
  3. Pedagogy Apr 2022
    Contributors ↗
    rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy creative writing writing across the curriculum teacher development collaborative writing assessment writing program administration technical communication professional writing digital rhetoric literacy studies gender and writing disability studies literary studies book reviews editorial matter
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jun 2018
    Understanding Virtual Reality: Presence, Embodiment, and Professional Practice ↗
    Jason Tham; Ann Hill Duin; Laura Gee; Nathan Ernst; Bilal Abdelqader; Megan McGrath
    writing pedagogy professional writing digital rhetoric body and rhetoric book reviews
  5. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Dec 2015
    Instructional Design for Stem-Based Collaborative, Colocated Classroom Composition ↗
    Brad Mehlenbacher; Meagan Kittle Autry; Ashley Rose Kelly
    genre theory writing pedagogy collaborative writing technical communication professional writing scientific writing digital rhetoric online writing instruction book reviews