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Are Americans ready for take-off? A rhetorical analysis of president George W. Bush and his administration's September 11, 2001, crisis communication rhetoric
Myers, Jessica Joy
Myers, Jessica Joy
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2005-12
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Electronic dissertations
Electronic dissertations
Electronic dissertations
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Abstract
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created a noticeable decline in
commercial aviation travel because Americans lost faith in the safety of the commercial
airline system. Although a weakening in commercial airline travel is expected after a
major airline crash, September 11 is unique is because the event was addressed by the
President of the United States and his administration, not an airline CEO or corporate
spokesperson.
This study will examine the government's crisis communication rhetoric using
Benoit’s Image Restoration theory as the overarching framework. Benoit has developed
a series of rhetorical strategies that an individual or institution can adopt to maximize its
reputation or image after an attack: denial, evasion of responsibility, reduction of
offensiveness, corrective action, and mortification. After using Benoit’s image
restoration lens to examine 30 speeches presented by President George W. Bush and his
administration between September 11, 2001, and September 11, 2002, this study
acknowledges that in some crisis scenarios multiple spokespeople are necessary and
seemingly contradictory image restoration devices may at times compliment each other.
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Thesis (M.A.)-- Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Elliott School of Communication
"December 2005."
"December 2005."
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Copyright Jessica Joy Myers, 2005. All rights reserved.