Date
5-25-2023
Department
School of Communication and the Arts
Degree
Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MA)
Chair
Cecil V Kramer
Keywords
image repair theory, Morgan Wallen, Benoit, mortification, corrective action
Disciplines
Communication | Music
Recommended Citation
Singletary, Dylan Joseph, "Living the Dream- A Rhetorical Analysis into the Morgan Wallen Racial Slur Scandal through William Benoit’s Image Reconstruction Theory" (2023). Masters Theses. 1000.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1000
Abstract
Public figures often find themselves in controversies that result in a damaged image. In the field of communication image repair is conducted as a form of crisis communication. William Benoit’s image repair theory views image repair through specific strategies which are mortification, corrective action, denial, evasion of responsibility, and reducing offensiveness. Benoit’s image repair strategies can be found through country music star Morgan Wallen’s rhetoric in his attempts at image repair through the four artifacts. Results of the rhetorical analysis of the artifacts show that image repair strategies work better for certain situations. Benoit’s image theory is supported by Wallen’s current image results.
