Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1988

Tone as a Function of Presupposition in Technical and Business Writing

Kathryn Riley University of Tennessee at Knoxville ; Frank Parker Louisiana State University

Abstract

Current treatments of tone rely on a hit-list approach in which writers are presented with lists of words to avoid and a few do and don't examples. Such treatments, however, do not constitute a theory of why certain linguistic elements create problems in tone. The linguistic concept of presupposition can be used to construct such a theory. Presuppositions are unstated propositions conveyed by the use of certain linguistic expressions called presupposition triggers. These presupposition triggers may convey the writer's beliefs about the truth of a proposition or the writer's value judgments about a proposition. Many problems in tone can be traced to one of two types of conflict between reader and writer: different beliefs about the truth of an implied proposition, and different attitudes toward a proposition whose truth is agreed upon.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1988-10-01
DOI
10.2190/3pqx-nkb6-u72b-v1u3
Open Access
Closed
Topics
professional writing race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Thayer et al. (2010)
    I, Pronoun: A Study of Formality in Online Content
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Fesmire (1993)
    Transitions as Speech Acts
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Riley (1991)
    Passive Voice and Rhetorical Role in Scientific Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Ferguson et al. (1990)
    Grammar and Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Campbell et al. (1990)
    <i>You</i>-Perspective: Insights from Speech Act Theory
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Anderson (1980)
    The Need for Better Research in Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1017/CBO9780511813313
     ↗
  2. 10.2307/412084
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network →

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