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The article explores how Andrew Carnegie's essays shaped perceptions of business communication in the late 19th century.

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May 16, 2026

Andrew Carnegie and the Rhetorical History of Business and Professional Communication

Key Points

The article explores how Andrew Carnegie's essays shaped perceptions of business communication in the late 19th century.
Analyzed Carnegie's late 19th-century essays for rhetorical strategies and themes.
Identified key themes related to wealth, labor, and democracy in Carnegie's arguments.
Carnegie's essays illustrate how he crafted a benevolent public image.
Three main themes emerged: wealth, labor, and democracy, which influenced his rhetorical approach.

Abstract

This article’s author situates late 19th-century essays by Andrew Carnegie within the rhetorical history of business and professional communication (BPC). A close analysis of the essays reveals that Carnegie relied on rhetoric to shape his public image as a benevolent business leader during a period characterized by significant socioeconomic divisions in the United States. Three primary themes— wealth , labor , and democracy —emerge, which the author argues animated Carnegie’s reasoning and arguments throughout the essays. The author concludes by recommending greater attention to the rhetorical history of BPC in future research and teaching.

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Andrew Carnegie and the Rhetorical History of Business and Professional Communication

Key Points

Abstract

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