Discusses commemoration as a means of closure. Examines the suppression of that impulse through two related events: the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown for the Vietnam War, and Gerald Ford's abrupt shift of policy concerns as South Vietnam fell. (MS)

Presents a critical review of academic work on negativity in political advertising that shows that the concept has been defined in ways that are too broad, insufficiently holistic, and too pejorative. Suggests exploratory data indicate that the component parts of negativity are: misleading claims, emotional appeals, one-sided attacks, and a…

Indicates that, of the 11 types of regrettable messages that people reported, most (1) were said to those with whom they had a close relationship, (2) resulted from unchecked drives or feelings, and (3) were recognized and regretted immediately. (JD)

Summarizes basic principles for analyzing discourse. Focuses on discourse in the press, analyzing various levels, units, dimensions, modes, and social contexts. Discusses the relevance of discourse analysis to mass communication research. (PD)

Examines public commentary about psychiatrists and their profession generated by the Hinkley proceedings. Claims that the impression of psychiatry communicated during and following the trial could have long-lasting results. Focuses on the language of print media describing and commenting on events involving the psychiatrists who took part in the…

Assesses the effects of sports commentary on spectators' perception of competitive play and enjoyment of athletic contests. Demonstrates that watching contests in which the opponents are described as hated foes--rather than as good friends or neutral opponents--creates the greatest enjoyment for spectators. (PD)

Examines the role of gender and the nature of instructional discourse on beneficiaries and social change in development communication projects addressing health, nutrition, and population problems. Finds a shift from focusing on women and other marginal groups since the Decade for Women, toward emphasizing consumption and privatization. (CR)

Compliments are not only common daily discourse, but they are also used in companies, government agencies, and universities as written recommendations to determine hiring and promotion decisions. This report analyzes compliments as to structure, form, and content; replies they evoke; characteristics of compliment givers and receivers; and manner…

Advocates using the construct of voice rather than paradigms, theories, and academic divisions to develop complimentary ways of understanding. Advocates taking inventory of multiple and shifting voices in reviews and critiques of the literature; connecting through exploring shifting concepts and theories; and engaging in joint actions in ways that…

Uses Kenneth Burke's theory of perfection to explore the vocabularies of nuclear weapons in United States public discourse and how "the Bomb" as a God term has gained imbalanced ascendancy in centers of power. (MS)

Examines three groups of studies that demonstrate what communication research has to say about the relationship between peace and news, between war and the media. Presents a model of five discourses used in the coverage of war and peace in the news media. (MS)

Finds that: (1) perceived realism and themes that students could identify with are important factors in increasing the salience and persuasiveness of alcohol-related public service announcements (PSAs) among undergraduate students; (2) realistic but logic-based PSAs were not as effective as unrealistic but enjoyable ads; and (3) low production…

Studied one aspect of communication competency: how people express emotions through verbal behavior. Found, among other conclusions, that references to unpleasant emotions outnumber references to pleasant emotions almost two to one. (PD)