A qualitative evidence synthesis of normative rhetorical theory scholarship

Abstract

ABSTRACT Normative rhetorical theory (NRT, also called normative theory of social support; Goldsmith, [(2004). Communicating social support. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511606984]) has aided scholars in exploring when and why some interpersonal conversations are evaluated as more successful than others. Despite proliferation in its use, there has not yet been a review of this body of work until now. This manuscript reports on a qualitative evidence synthesis of 29 empirical articles that utilized NRT as a primary framework. Findings describe the nature of this scholarship including the features of NRT studies, commonalities in how theoretical components have been applied, and patterns across categories of dilemmas and strategies. Results help to hone NRT as a heuristic framework and provide a foundation for theorizing.