Image repair discourse and crisis communication

Abstract

This article describes the theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations. This theory can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises and by critics or educators to critically evaluate messages produced during crises. I begin by describing and illustrating the basic concepts in this theory. Then, I offer suggestions for crisis communication based on this body of theory and research. William L. Benoit is Associate Professor of Communication, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.