On Minimized Indirectness In Business E-memo Writing

This thesis conducts a study on business e-memo writing from a linguistic perspective, with a focus on what is herein called "minimized pragmatic indirectness (MI)".Chapter 1: A comparison between e-memo and email shows their similarities (format, process of formulation, and durability) and differences (speed of transmission, reliability, security and economy). This is followed by a literature review that presents previous scholarly investigations into e-mail writing. Finally, research methods, ways of case analysis, and the data to be used in the thesis are outlined.Chapter 2: This is the theoretical part of the thesis, explaining MI as the result of balancing the pragmatic goals and operational feasibility in business e-memo writing, and treating "Politeness and face'1 and "competing goals" as the principle motivations of using MI. "Degree of imposition (DOI)" , "relative power (RP)" and "social distance (SD)" are considered the major factors that determine the degree of indirectness. Coordination of these factors and other interpersonal rhetoric elements contribute to the successful realization of MI strategy used in business communication.Chapter 3: This chapter is the application of the established model to the analysis of sample business e-memos under two major sections: DOI and SD. Other MI factors and elements are spreading out around these two major considerations.Chapter 4: This chapter first of all gives a general summary to the whole thesis, and then pinpoint the significance of the use of MI in business e-memo writing as well as of the exploration in this thesis. Finally, the limitations in such effort are pointed out, on the basis of which are outlined the future possible academic efforts in this direction.