Abstract
The author employs both rhetorical move analysis and corpus-assisted discourse analysis to examine online “patient narratives” collected from one of the largest AIDS discussion forums in the USA. Focusing on possible contraction of HIV/AIDS after perceived high-risk behaviors, this genre differs from traditional patient narratives because of its preoccupation with risk assessment and testing. Three types of rhetorical moves were identified, namely, informative, interactive, and emotional, which suggests posters’ need for accurate information, empathy, and communal support. Serving as an intermediary genre, the online risky AIDS narratives could help bridge the gap between at-risk populations and health communicators and public health educators to enhance the existing understanding of possible health, emotional, social, and psychological concerns that such individuals may have when seeking medical help.
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Ding, H. (2017). Cross-Culturally Narrating Risks, Imagination, and Realities of HIV/AIDS. In: Miller, C., Kelly, A. (eds) Emerging Genres in New Media Environments. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40295-6_8
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