Ecological Disaster and Rhetorical Response

On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez struck a reef, releasing 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound. This study examines Exxon's communication efforts in the wake of that disaster and identifies communication practices on Exxon's part that damaged the corporation's credibility, antagonized the public, and contributed to the public perception of its corporate arrogance.