Uncovering intentionality and the process of persuasion in oral business narratives

A corpus of in-house company presentations in webinar mode, a form of audio-conferencing, is the subject of this analysis. Using classic Labovian narrative structure, together with ethnographic participant involvement techniques, an analysis of the strategies and dynamics of persuasion within different corporate ranks is performed. A finely-tuned linguistic analysis, based on the nature and distribution of compound noun groups, and pronominal referencing, uncovers the layers of intentionality and covert persuasive motivations at work in telling the corporate story.