
“Rhetorical Cues and Cultural Clues: An Analysis of the Recommendation Letter in English Studies."
Below the introductory paragraph: “Rhetorical Cues and Cultural Clues Rhetoric Review Analysis of a collection of contemporary recommendation letters for admission to a PhD program in English studies revealed differences in length, level of specificity, and rhetorical appeals that applied much more strongly to candidates’ acceptance status than to gender. Across both status and gender groupings, however, candidates were frequently appraised through economic metaphors, indicating a disciplinary culture that dually approaches graduate students as immediate sources of labor and as the future of the profession. Findings from these letters should promote continued conversation about disciplinary culture and clearer guidelines for those writing and requesting recommendation letters."
Source: HRHR 0735-0198 1532-7981 Rhetoric Review, Vol. 28, No. 4, Jul 2009: pp. 0–0 HOLLY H. BRULAND.
For excerpts of my dissertation click this link:
Writer Perception, Writer Projection: The Influence of Personality, Ideology, and Gender on Letters of Recommendation by Henrik Eger