Abstract:

AFRICAN-AMERICAN PERCPTIONS OF REBUTTAL ANALOGIES. Eric D. Holt; mentor, Dr. Anne Nicotera, Department of Human Communication Studies, Howard University, Washington, DC.

An analogy is a similarity of relations between structures, the most general formulation of which is "A is to B as C is to D." A rebuttal analogy is a tightly constructed linguistic form that serves to counterargue with a socially acceptable level of implied derision. Recent studies of the role of analogy in persuasion suggest that it function by serving two communicative goals. Specifically, "rebuttal" analogy has been shown to perform two communicative functions by serving as argument and a method of social attack. Up to this point, no research has been conducted on the perceptions of African-Americans and the use of rebuttal analogies.

The present investigation examined African-American message receivers' perceptions of rebuttal analogy and of the individual using this rhetorical form. Participants were exposed to one of four messages employing rebuttal analogy or to one of the same four messages in a nonanalogy version.

The research revealed participants' perception of the communicator using rebuttal analogy as being less polite. The rebuttal analogy was perceived as a weaker argument.