Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1990

Reading Smoke and Mirrors: The Rhetoric of Corporate Annual Reports

Peter J. Hager The University of Texas at El Paso ; H. J. Scheiber

Abstract

In trying to project a positive corporate image and financial health in their annual reports, companies too often confuse and alienate readers with rhetorical smoke and statistical mirrors. Through a more complete understanding of their audiences and by applying effective rhetorical principles to reach those audiences, corporations can both meet the informational needs of report readers and promote a positive and accurate corporate ethos.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1990-04-01
DOI
10.2190/v5nt-e5l5-utf0-3uyy
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism argument
Export
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Lord (2002)
    Annual Reports: A Literature Review (1989–2001)
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Herrington (1995)
    Ethics and graphic design: a rhetorical analysis of the document design in the …
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Scheiber et al. (1994)
    Oral Communication in Business and Industry: Results of a Survey on Scientific,…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (18) · 1 in this index

  1. Schiffres M. All the Good News that Fits: Down to the Nitty-Gritty U.S. News and World Report pp. 50–51 April…
  2. Byrne J. A. Annual Reports: The Good the Bad and the Ridiculous Business Week p. 40 April 7 1986.
  3. Jacobs S. L. Annual Reports in Short Form Fail to Catch On The Wall Street Journal p. 29 April 14 1988.
  4. (1987)
    Annual Reports: Better by Design
    The Accountant
  5. 10.1177/002194368802500204
     ↗
Show all 18 →
  1. Downes J. (1987)
    Barron's Finance and Investment Handbook
  2. Micheli R. A Few Key Items in an Annual Report Can Tell You a Lot Money p. 181 March 1988.
  3. Audiovox Corporation Annual Report 1987.
  4. Loctite Corporation Annual Report 1987.
  5. GLENFED INC Annual Report 1987.
  6. Dycom Industries Inc. Annual Report 1987.
  7. North American Metals Corp. Annual Report 1987.
  8. (1973)
    Objectives of Financial Statements
  9. 10.1177/002194368702400303
     ↗
  10. Hilton A. (1978)
    Employee Reports: How to Communicate Financial Information to Employees
  11. Hager P. J. (1988)
    Incorporating the Journal Article into the Business Communication Classroom
    The Bulletin of ABC
  12. Scheiber (1987)
    From Prose Paladin to Peer Editor: Teaching Engineers (and Others) to Write and…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  13. Scheiber H. J. (1987)
    Consciousness Raising and Collaboration: The One-Day Professional Writing Seminar
    The Bulletin of ABC
CrossRef global citation count: 9 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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