Abstract
Institutional genres often form dynamic systems or chains. In this paper we report on a possible expansion of the genre system that undergirds the appointment process of assistant professors in the U.S. This expansion consists of a “response letter” to a letter of recommendation. We first analyse a small corpus of these response letters by looking at the openings and closings and the bodies of the letters. The larger aim of this analysis is to explore the possible rationales that might underlie the composition, stylistic character and content of these texts.
Highlights
Following pioneering work by Devitt (1991) on tax correspondence and by Bazerman (1994) on patent application processes, there is a growing understanding that individual genres often form part of generic systems. These systems are often ordered in such a way that Text A leads to Text B, which in turn engenders Text C
Several additional steps in the hiring process in the United States have been added as a result of Affirmative Action legislation, such as the papers of all chosen applicants have to be circulated through a special office to ensure that minority candidates have not been discriminated against
The typical American “search” process for professorial positions involves the posting of the position, receiving applications, taking up references, making a short-list, conducting telephone or conference interviews, inviting two or three favored applicants for a campus visit, making an offer and so on
Summary
Following pioneering work by Devitt (1991) on tax correspondence and by Bazerman (1994) on patent application processes, there is a growing understanding that individual genres often form part of generic systems. In this short paper, we present some preliminary evidence to suggest that, at least in certain circumstances, a letter of reference may generate an official note of acknowledgement and thanks.
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