Maintains that widening the study of argumentation to include the visual unjustifiably expands common understandings of argument, particularly those that define argument as a two-part, two-sided act. Contends that by calling pictures "arguments," it is possible that attention will be diverted away from the rhetorical functions pictures…

Examines the limits of field theory in argumentation studies, addressing several issues: whether fields are primarily logical types or organized social arenas; sources of symbolic authority within fields; and roles of description and normativity in development of field theory. Forwards P. Bourdieu's notion of social practice as an alternative that…

Analyzes visual argument as propositional argument in which the propositions and their argumentative functions are expressed visually, not verbally. Classifies visual argument as but one type of visual persuasion, which is but one type of visual communication, and a form of persuasion and rhetoric. Discusses advantages/disadvantages of visual…

Asks whether different kinds of arguments are essentially similar or different. Considers three kinds of argument as potentially the primary argument. Rejects each, concluding that these kinds of argument are fundamentally similar. Focuses on the ideas of publicness, sociality, and cognition, assuming these to be the main possibilities for…

Discusses different views of regarding the body as a discursive site. Describes the articles in this special issue that suggest people's bodies are important and powerful sources of assertion and contention and that they provoke gains in identity and power. Discusses the character of argument itself by considering bodies as sources and sites of…

Discusses how a recent fashion trend known as "heroin chic" challenges conventional modes of argumentation. Considers how its popularization of abject, emaciated bodies presents an alternative to a logic of rationalism that grounds traditional argumentation. Discusses how by foregrounding corporeal performativity as a form of argument,…

Argues that Robert Scott's landmark 1967 essay sets in motion a constitutive model of rhetorical effectivity. States Scott's essay belongs to a disciplinary history that brings forth a central preoccupation with the ethical problematization of rhetorical practices from an aesthetic point of view. Discusses how this aesthetic turn transforms the…

States that argumentative explicitness is acknowledged as a normative ideal in the practice of argument. Addresses one facet of the question of whether argumentative explicitness inevitably sacrifices instrumental success, by offering a meta-analytic review of the persuasive effects associated with degree of articulation given to the advocate's…

Explores preconditions for developing a theory of visual argument, emphasizing frequent lucidity of visual meaning, importance and varieties of visual context, argumentative complexities raised by notions of representation and resemblance, and questions visual persuasion pose for the standard distinction between argument and persuasion. Contains…

Explores the theoretical and critical implications of feminist research on argumentation, and points to directions where feminist theory will continue to challenge predominant thinking about argumentation. Introduces the articles in this special issue on argumentation and feminisms. (PA)

Describes the decision-making process, focusing on the central importance of foreclosed opportunities. Offers a brief history and explanation of the "opportunity cost" approach to the evaluation of contemplated actions. Explores the applications of opportunity cost theory to counterplan argumentation, focusing on issues of counterplan…

Offers a historical perspective on the problems that plague policy debate. Reviews the recent evolution of competitive intercollegiate debate. Draws four conclusions from the analysis and makes suggestions for the future of debate. (PRA)

Stresses the importance of students having the opportunity to engage in policy debate, and illustrates its value. Offers a brief history of the demise of policy debate, and suggests having the National Debate Tournament and the Fall Cross Examination Debate Association debate the same topic to reverse the trend. (PRA)

Focuses on the dangers inherent in the "bureaucratic" mindset that can eliminate the bases for constructive argument. Claims a dramatistic perspective on argument counters this danger and aids in the alteration of frames of reference, simultaneously combating the bureaucratic mindset and increasing the chance for constructive change in…

Finds that the subjective probability model continues to provide some degree of prediction for beliefs (of an individual for circumstances of a single event with multiple causes) prior to the exposure to a message, but that after exposure to a persuasive message, the model did not maintain the same level of accuracy of prediction. Offers several…