Argues that the rhetorical impact of "Agnes of God" stems from the unconventional treatment of dialectical conflict, and from the film's "dialectical disorientation." Discusses rhetorical implications of form, arguing that "Agnes of God" is representative of a class of highly configural films that function to jar…

Investigates the career of George Edward Bateman Saintsbury (1845-1933), the eighth Regius Professor at the University of Edinburgh. Outlines his position as a literary critic, reviews and analyzes his views of rhetoric and rhetoricians, and offers assessments of his views. (MH)

Discusses the ethical and rational qualities of speech acts. (JMF)

Argues for a revised perspective on presidential crisis rhetoric informed by an understanding of differing exigencies and functions. Uses speeches by Ronald Reagan to examine two types of crisis rhetoric. Concludes that crisis rhetoric can not be viewed as a homogeneous type of discourse. (MM)

Proposes an approach to rhetorical criticism that features the relationship between a message and a culturally distanced interpreter or critic. Applies Paul Ricoeur's critical approach to an interpretation of the Gettysburg Address to illustrate how hermeneutics reveals the underlying meaning and cultural significance of enduring texts. (NKA)

Argues that meaning in a rhetorical work results from an interaction between discursive form and representational content linguists call "iconicity." Illustrates this approach through close analysis of passages selected from Edmund Burke's "Speech to the Electors of Bristol." Considers applications in broader contexts. (KEH)

Examines the fluctuating dialectic between object and method in three parts: (1) detailed reading of Herbert Wichelns' founding essay; (2) discussion of three influential responses to this dialectic by Ernest Wrage, Samuel Becker, and Edwin Black; and (3) analysis of Michael Leff's and Michael McGee's attempt to reconnect object and method. (KEH)

Responds to the essays and critiques in this special issue. Evaluates the arguments by Michael Leff and Michael McGee and suggests that choosing between them is not inevitable. Analyzes Dilip Gaonkar's appraisal of McGee and incorporates the observations of J. Robert Cox and Celeste Condit when discussing Leff's position. (KEH)

Notes that conspiracy charges have come to characterize mainstream political drama. Analyzes dimensions of the Watergate scandal so that the manner in which conspiracy rhetoric unfolds in political drama may be better understood. (PD)

The seven articles in this journal issue survey and assess the art of rhetorical criticism based on evidence derived from critical practice. The first five articles analyze the literature subsumed with certain approaches to rhetorical criticism and are arranged in the chronological order of the emergence of the approach: neo-classical criticism,…

Argues that interpretation is not only an essential mode for understanding the construction of rhetorical texts, but that interpretation is itself an important source of invention and, therefore, of social critique in postmodern culture. (KEH)

Focusing on rhetorical strategies employed by U. S. presidents in response to states of emergency, investigates differences between discourse (1) initially constituting the government's sole response and (2) accompanying, justifying, and rationalizing specific military moves undertaken. Analyzes five presidential messages, categorizing each as…

Formulates a middle-level theory that explains the process by which rhetroic is epistemic, using Foucault's notion of the discursive formation as a starting point. Discusses five theoretical units derived from Foucault--discursive practices, rules, roles, power, and knowledge--and relationships among them. Analyzes Disneyland, using Foucault's…

Describes Senator Albert Jerimiah Beveridge as a leader in two early twentieth-century movements: imperialism and progressivism. Indicates that Beveridge's success demonstrates the possibility that rhetors can adapt to changes in the rhetorical situation without surrendering their personal convictions. (JK)

Explores the effects of terrorism by approaching it as a persuasive form of communication rather than a dysfunctional sociological act. Describes the rhetorical functions of terrorism, evaluates the persuasive appeal of a mediated narrative, and applies narrative theory to analyze the 1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacking and its terrorist spokesman. (KEH)