1: Describe and evaluate a theory of crisis communication or image repair. Headings for this section of the paper will be: (A) Description of a theory of crisis communication or image repair. (B) Discussion of pros (strengths, advantages) and cons (weaknesses, limitations) of the theory. (C) Explanation of how this theory is important or useful for understanding crisis communication or image repair. Examples of crisis communication or image repair theories include Ware & Linkugel’s apologia, Coombs’ Situational Crisis Communication Theory, Stein’s antapologia, Burke’s theory of guilt, Heart’s theory of crisis communication, Koesten & Rowland’s rhetoric of atonement, or Seeger & Sellnow’s rhetoric of renewal.
Part 2: Identify the attack that provoked the defense you analyze in Part 3. Some attacks have only one complaint whereas other attacks have several complaints. Explain each criticism and illustrate it with an example or examples.
Part 3: Apply the theory from Part 1 of the paper to a defensive message or messages. Headings for this section of the paper will be: (A) Description of the message or messages analyzed for the paper (who was defending, when and where the message was used) (B) Application of the theory to the messages: How does the theory help understand the message(s)?
