Jim Jones: an Analysis of a Persuader
Date of Graduation
Spring 1987
Degree
Master of Arts in Communication
Department
Communication
Committee Chair
Ralph Smith
Abstract
None of the various accounts of Jim Jones and his followers offers a singular focus on the rhetoric of Jim Jones --what he said and what his messages may have meant to those who listened. The purpose of this study is to describe the rhetoric of Jim Jones through the collection and analysis of messages sent by Jones. An historical account of Jim Jones and the People's Temple provides a context for messages. The collection of messages is a sample of what Jones said divided into categories based on the general content of the messages. This collection provides the data required for the analysis. Analysis of the messages focuses on what can be learned about Jim Jones from each message, and what can be determined about Jones' perceptions of his audiences. From the analyses, several propositions are drawn about Jones and his perceptions of his audiences.
Subject Categories
Communication
Copyright
© Richard William Stengel
Recommended Citation
Stengel, Richard William, "Jim Jones: an Analysis of a Persuader" (1987). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 505.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/505
Dissertation/Thesis
