The Narrative Paradigm (Walter Fisher) COM 452 Summer, 2010

Narrative Paradigm – Walter Fisher Persuasion is best perceived as good reasons which provide compelling stories rather than as the compilation of evidence, rationality and/or logic Departure from the rational world paradigm

Defining the Terms Narration = symbolic actions that have sequence and meaning for those who create and use them Paradigm = conceptual framework

Rational-world paradigm: People are essentially rational We make decisions on the basis of arguments The type of situation determines the course of our argument Rationality is determined by how much we know and how well we argue The world is a set of logical puzzles that we can solve through rational analysis.

Narrative paradigm People are essentially storytellers We make decisions on the basis of good reasons, which vary depending on the communication situation, media, and genre (philosophical, technical, rhetorical, or artistic) History, biography, culture, and character determine what we consider good reasons Narrative rationality is determined by the coherence and fidelity of our stories The world is a set of stories from which we choose, and thus constantly re-create, our lives.

Narrative Rationality: Coherence and Fidelity Does the story hang together? Is it probable? Consistent with others with similar themes? Characters act in reliable manner? Fidelity Does the story ring true with our experiences? Does it provide “good reasons” based on our value-related issues?

Critique: Does Fisher’s story have coherence and fidelity? Reworks Aristotelian analysis so that receiver doesn’t need to be an expert to believe story Principles of narrative coherence and fidelity can be used to analyze various types of communication, which provides strong evidence of their validity Overly optimistic that people prefer the true and the just – e.g., does not explain exceptions such as Hitler’s stories Stories promoting the status quo may have undue influence and oppressive power