“In These Unprecedented Times”: A Genre Analysis of American University Reopening Statements during the COVID-19 Pandemic Open Access

Abstract

Crisis communication helps institutions manage narratives surrounding crises. Previous linguistic studies exploring crisis management genres have focused on crises stemming from internal institutional wrongdoing or negligence. However, this study used genre analysis and corpus-based discourse analysis to better understand crisis management strategies of American universities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, the crisis occurred outside of the institutions in question, but still directly affected their ability to function. Using Swales’ (1990a) Creating a Research Space (CARS) model as a springboard, I developed a Move-Step framework and applied these patterns to a corpus of 50 emails sent out by four-year universities and colleges in the United States. These communications detail their reopening plans for the Fall 2020 semester. Contrary to the ostensible goal of these communications, this study found that these emails were not as focused on conveying logistical information as much as they revolved around asserting solidarity and strengthening the college community. 

Table of Contents

Introduction...........................................................................................1

University Administrators as a Discourse Community, RPs as a Genre ........3

Constructing the Corpus .........................................................................9

The Macro Organization of RPs ..............................................................12

The Move-Step Model............................................................................15

Interaction of Steps ...............................................................................31

Discussion.............................................................................................32

Conclusion............................................................................................34

References ............................................................................................36

Appendix A...........................................................................................40

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Linguistics
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Education, Administration Language, Rhetoric and Composition Language, Linguistics
Keyword	communication rhetoric reopening COVID-19 stylistics community administration discourse crisis corpus shutdown genre university logistics
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Hardy, Jack A., Emory University
Committee Members	Higinbotham, Sarah, Emory University Pak, Marjorie, Emory University

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