Trial fantasy themes, 2006

Item — Multiple Containers

Identifier: b2088455

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Communication program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

Dates

Creation: 2006

Creator

Flannelly, Timothy M. (Author, Person)
Wien, Sherry (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

3 Items (print books) : 34 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Introduction [excerpts]

The current study involves a textual analysis of the trial transcripts from United States of America v. Charles Novak and Henry Ach. This methodology involves a systematic description and analysis of fantasy themes, or mythic stories, and underlying rhetorical visions, or interpretive themes about reality, contained in the prosecution's opening statements, summation, and rebuttal summation....

[Ernest G.] Bormann's Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) will serve as the theoretical perspective and foundation of this research. SCT is a general theory of rhetoric in which groups create and share fantasies about the group and outside groups and thereby build a shared identity. SCT provides an explanation for the creation and maintenance of group consciousness and imagines that individuals' images of reality are guided by stories reflecting how things are believed to be....

A fantasy theme analysis of the trial transcripts from United States of America v. Charles Novak and Henry Ach should provide value and worth to trial attorneys, especially prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. The findings should provide trial attorneys with a means of organizing and structuring evidence and persuading jury members through storytelling. Fantasy themes are an important element of persuasion within the courtroom setting. Trial attorneys tell stories and they support those stories with evidence. The purpose is to draw jury members into a reality they did not experience. If trial attorneys use an approach that increases their chances of persuading juries, then trial attorneys ultimately increase their chances of winnning trials.

The findings of this current study should also provide value and worth to communication scholars. Results identify various fantasy themes used by trial attorneys during a federal labor racketeering trial and provide communication scholars with a fresh SCT perspective through the practical application of fantasy theme analysis in a courtroom setting.