An Episode of Flaming: A Creative Narrative

In this paper, a creative narrative is used to illustrate an episode of flaming (defined as the fervent exchange of messages personally attacking or expressing defensiveness on computer-mediated communication networks) in an electronic mail exchange among a small group of communication scholars. The narrative allows for the presentation of an argument that operates on four levels of signification. It can be read as: (1) an account of an episode of flaming, in which the focus of meaning creation is the transcription of electronic mail messages; (2) a story, with plot, scene, and characters, in which the focus of meaning creation is the narration of social action; (3) a work of interpretive research, in which the focus of meaning creation is the careful analysis and thoughtful engagement of the literature; and (4) an argument for a broader view of scholarship, in which the focus of meaning creation is the effort to position the narrative as a work of legitimate intellectual engagement. Nineteen footnotes are included. (Contains 32 references.) (RS)