One of the features of language that the book suggests to consider in analysis of organizational communication is narrative or story telling. I have recognized this in the organizational announcements that we send out to the supply chain management organization. They make a story out of the announcement. There is always an introduction, a climax, and close. The “voice” of the executive narrates the announcement. I think this is done to create a “relationship” with the audience that is being spoken to. It is interesting that you can recognize these “unintentional” language patterns in the communications when you just think about it. It is very easy to overlook these simply nuances of language.
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In her groundbreaking book, Eloquence in an Electronic Age: The Transformation o Political Speechmaking, Kathleen Hall Jamieson argued that television fundamentally changed audience expectations for political speakers: audiences expect speeches that are more narrative, visual, and personal. Although published in 1988, her argument is especially on target with audience expectations in the digital age. Narrative is especially important. Consider the narrative offered by the presidential candidates. And what do people find interesting about Sarah Palin? Her story. Audiences do what that illusion of a relationship you refer to--they want to feel a personal closeness with the speaker. Narrative is one way to achieve that.
The text book gives a good example of narrative or story telling. I am sure the news that CEO was not allowed to enter an area cause he did not have an identity card must have made a very strong impression to the employees of IBM. It tells us how important laws are in IBM. Excellent example and i think narrative or story telling language is more interesting and the news that is told in a story telling way will spread faster and heard by all. Personally i would like news to come to me in that form. i think its fun listening to stuff which has elements like beginning and end and moral and everything
Stories are a great way to get across a message. The previous commander at my detachment always used stories when explaining things. For example, I found out that I didn’t get a pilot slot last semester, and I was devastated (this is the main reason that I joined ROTC, I wanted to fly). In an effort to encourage me, he told the story of when he was a kid in high school. As an all-American athlete, he wanted to play football for a great college, but he got hurt in high school and couldn’t get a football scholarship. Rather than sulking over this, he applied himself and got into the Air Force Academy and eventually got a job flying helicopters. He said I should do the same.
What I’m trying to say is that stories are a great way to explain things clearly and motivate.
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