A theory of rhetorical narrative exigence: An exploration into collective rhetoric, communities of practice and the current nursing shortage

Rebekah Le Fox, Purdue University

Abstract

The study of rhetorical narrative theory has ancient roots, and has inspired research to the present day. Over 2,500 years ago, Aristotle and his contemporaries were investigating the link between rhetoric and narration and as a result, uncovered a fundamental tenent of persuasion; that when we open our mouths we argue, and we often story. Researchers since have examined narrative from rhetorical, sociological, anthropological, organizational, and health perspectives, to name a few, but little agreement exists concerning what makes a story, what makes a good story, why we story, and what effect we have when we do so. Rhetoricians have traditionally been interested in the role that narrative plays in persuasion, and that line of inquiry has been extended to include what the role of a collective narrative is within a collective rhetoric. Building off the work of theorists from each of the previously mentioned areas, the goal of this current study is to examine dialogue to learn more about the genesis of storytelling in interaction. This study asks, "What rhetorical frames call narrative into dialogue?" The interrogation of narrative exigence requires a research domain in which storytelling is a prevelant form of discourse. From communities dependent on orality to ones that have embraced literacy, storytelling has always been a fundamental way to communicate and to build a common culture. One particular type of community that has sparked an interesting body of current research is a Community of Practice. Members of Communities of Practice engage each other in order to share knowledge and solve common problems. In an age of increasing globalization and reliance on technology, Communities of Practice have found the internet a useful tool to create a sense of community and to share knowledge. The current United States nursing shortage poses a dangerous problem for those within the healthcare system as well as those who use their services, and offers an opportunity to explore Communities of Practice and narrative exigence. As such, many different interested parties have examined the crisis in order to understand how to take action. These different parties form a chorus of voices and together, these voices form a societal level, collective narrative concerning the nursing shortage. In other words, the collective story that gets told and retold concerning the shortage is a combination of the rhetoric of different interested parties. One specific party, the nurses themselves, is also telling a story. This study seeks to uncover their story through the examination of a rhetorical text constructed from the on-line discourse of one specific nursing Community of Practice. This study concludes that several rhetorical frames constitute the concept of narrative exigence within communities; conflict mediation, socialization, care, and identification. Interestingly, this study also reveals that paradox is ever-present within communities and represents a complex issue in terms of narrative theorizing. Another conclusion of this work is that Communities of Practice serve as rich sites of study for the investigation of narrative. Finally, this study adds to the growing body of literature that addresses the benefits and drawbacks of using on-line discourse as rhetorical texts.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Clair, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Communication

COinS