The rhetoric of atonement

Abstract

In this essay, we outline the defining characteristics of the rhetoric of atonement and argue that it as an identifiable sub‐genre of apologia. In building this argument, we examine the purposive and situational constraints that lead to atonement and argue that atonement rhetoric can be defined based on five characteristics. We use an analysis of several instances in which President Clinton relied upon atonement to illustrate the power and function of the sub‐genre.

Key words:

• political communication
• apologia
• atonement

Notes

Department of Communication, 266 Morgan Hall, Topeka, KS 66621. Tel. [phone] X2235; e‐mail: [email protected].

Communication Studies Department, 102 Bailey Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045. Tel. [phone]; e‐mail: [email protected].