Argues that Lincoln modeled certain major speeches on a chiasmus, and that this stylistic device governs the integration of form and function in Lincoln's presidential rhetoric. Argues that the chiasmus reveals that Lincoln saw himself as called by God to fulfill a special messianic mission. (MS)

An American observer's report on contemporary House of Commons debating and debaters. Discusses (1) traditional influences that come from the adversarial nature of parliamentary debate and its implications for communication style; and (2) contemporary influences, including education, that come from the changing characteristics of members of…

Examines the relationship between speech anxiety and the demographic variables of age, training, experience, sex, and birth order. (MH)

Contends that rhetoric of apologia constitutes a discrete genre and suggests that the needs that motivate apologetic speaking are inner-directed, social or personal and tend to shape the speech itself. (MH)

Investigates the effects of the rhetorical use of deliberate vagueness on the audience's recall and agreement. Results indicate that recall was significantly worse when disagreeable issues were vaguely stated instead of clearly stated, and that vague messages produced more agreement than clearly stated messages. (PD)

Examines arguments used in three United Nations Security Council debates which contradict the conclusion that different nations use different argumentative forms and think differently. Finds that the nature of data and the relative emphasis on principle as a negotiating strategy were more characteristic factors. (MS)

Examines the interpersonal relationship between Robert Michel, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and William F. Gavin, his speechwriter, and how that relationship structures and defines the speechwriting process. (RS)

Analyzes Jimmy Carter's success in the 1976 presidential primaries in terms of his rhetorical style based on Max Weber's concept of charisma and Ernest Bormann's theory of fantasy and rhetorical vision. The combination of Carter's charismatic message and the country's social fantasies produced his election. (JMF)

A study of the type and frequency of speeches given by blue collar workers. (CH)

Speakers' prespeech perceptions were elicited with reference to expected credibility, the consequences of delivering the speech, speech topic preferences, and message strategy intentions. Relationships are hypothesized among prespeech perceptions and trait and state speech anxiety. (JF)