Title
Apologizing for the past for a better future: Collective apologies in the United States, Australia, and Canada
Publication Date
2010
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This article examines the rhetorical phenomenon of collective apology. Specifically, collective apologies issued by American President Bill Clinton, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were analyzed inductively to determine the purposes and strategies that make up these speeches. This inductive approach reveals that the purpose of collective apologies is to repair relationships damaged by historical wrongdoing. Moreover, it is found that rhetors use the rhetorical strategies of remembrance, mortification, and corrective action. Ultimately, this research lays the groundwork for collective apology to be considered a distinct rhetorical genre.
Original Citation
Edwards J.A. (2010). Apologizing for the past for a better future: Collective apologies in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Southern Communication Journal, 75(1), 57-75. https://doi.org/10.1080/10417940902802605
Identifier
Virtual Commons Citation
Edwards, Jason (2010). Apologizing for the past for a better future: Collective apologies in the United States, Australia, and Canada. In Communication Studies Faculty Publications. Paper 20.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/commstud_fac/20