Describes how letter writing, especially business letters, was influenced by Greek and Roman oral rhetoricians. Discusses three precepts of oral rhetoric--inventio, dispositio, and style--and notes that the classical theories' reflection in written communication can be seen in selected Italian, German, and English epistolographic works. (MM)

Presents a model of visual coding for analyzing how visual elements affect the readability and rhetoric of business documents. Asserts that this type of systematic approach is needed for visual language to take a functional, rhetorical role in the communication process. (MM)

Discusses the narrow range of stylistic choice presented as acceptable to students in typical Business Communication courses by examining a number of prominent instructional sources for business writers. Presents an expanded version of the Plain Style of business prose that allows for a repertoire of dictional, syntactic, and figurative choices to…

Explores the complex language decisions reflected in the written ethical code of the Dana Corporation, an Ohio manufacturing firm. Suggests that such codes aim to be both inclusive of the readership and reflective of corporate goals. Uses linguistic substitution to highlight some rhetorical decisions that code composers need to negotiate. (SG)