Apologia, Image Repair, and Reconciliation The Application, Limitations, and Future Directions of Apologetic Rhetoric

Abstract

This chapter focuses on two pressing issues facing scholars of apologetic rhetoric—what we talk about and what we do not talk about. I begin this chapter by providing an overview of apologetic rhetoric research, including two diverging approaches—apologia theory as a means of image repair and apologies as part of reconciliation and healing. In the second part of this chapter, I explore what we do not talk about—that is, the gaps and limitations of our current understanding of apologetic rhetoric. In doing so, I argue that we lack research focused on female non-Western apologists, as well as delivery methods such as new media and business or technical documents. Finally, I offer suggestions for future studies of apologia, image repair strategies, and reconciliatory apologies.