Kenneth Burke

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a broad overview of Kenneth Burke's most influential works and the effect they have had on the study of communications. It then focuses on and describes one of Burke's greatest contributions to communications theory - his pentad theory, which was theorized in "A Grammar of Motives." The paper discusses this theory and the influence that it had on communications study.

Table of Contents:
Burke: A Broad Overview
The Pentad Explored
Works and Research Spurred by the Burkean Pentad
Expanding the Pentad
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Ling's analysis of Kennedy's speech may be one of the best known examples of pentad-based analysis, but it is by no means the only one. In fact, the Kenneth Burke Society - which also publishes the KB Journal - holds a triennial conference where various papers on Burkean theory are presented. Topics have included the application of pentad analysis to increasingly high-tech communications; rhetorical analysis of the press; pentad analysis of George W. Bush's communications on the Iraq War; and much more (Burke Papers, 2006). In fact, the Kenneth Burke Society has already announced plans for a 2008 conference in Philadelphia, to ensure the application of Burke's theories continues."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boje, David M. (2002). "Beyond Pentad to Hexad." Retrieved Nov. 12, 2006 from the New Mexico State University Web site at http://cbae.nmsu.edu/~dboje/qm/addons/beyond_pentad_to_hexad.htm.
• Burke, Kenneth (1969). "A Grammar of Motives. (New Ed.)" Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press.
• Burke, Kenneth (1968). "Language as Symbolic Action (New Ed.)." Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press.
• Burke, Kenneth (1984). "Permanence and Change: An Anatomy of Purpose (3rd Ed.)" Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press.
• Burke, Kenneth (1974). "The Philosophy of Literary Form (3rd Ed.)" Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press.

More papers on Kenneth Burke:

• Article Review # 109981 : "Kenneth Burke's "New Rhetoric"
• Essay # 4472 : "Burke's Contributions to Rhetoric"
• Comparison Essay # 13295 : "Aristotle & Kenneth Burke on Rhetoric"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: