Cites evidence of Gothic strains in eighteenth-century rhetorical practice. Uses a narrative account by Edmund Burke to illustrate representative Gothic themes, images, and strategies. Judges the Gothic voice to be significant as an instance of the ways in which general aesthetic sensibilities are deployed for rhetorical ends. (MS)

Examines the impact of communication apprehension on avoidance, withdrawal, and anxiety in communication contexts in two separate studies. Concludes that those who are communication apprehensive avoid public speaking and that apprehensive responses to public speaking can be predicted from participant's communication apprehension level. (SRT)

Finds that U.S. audiences perceive Asian speakers to have more speech anxiety than U.S. speakers, even though Asian speakers do not self-report higher anxiety levels. Confirms that speech state anxiety is not communicated effectively between speakers and audiences for Asian or U.S. speakers. (SR)

Shows that recollections of state speaking anxiety decreased over time, and that the rate of attenuation was associated with the speaker's level of trait speaking anxiety. Finds also that recollections of state speaking anxiety (implicit memory) were attenuated over time, and that the magnitude of this decline was predicted by the speaker's level…

Explores the diverse forms and motives of the conversational frame in public address. Argues that, by framing their remarks and transactions with their listeners as conversational, orators may attempt to reconstruct or seem to reconstruct speaker-audience relationships and to position themselves and their audiences within networks of reciprocal…

Studies the role of feedback in developing a sense of self. Reveals that high sensitives (individuals more sensitive to feedback) are more self-schematic than low sensitives, but that low sensitives are more likely to incorporate specific self-relevant feedback received into their self-schemas. (SR)

Describes a study using the accentuation theory to predict differential effects of heckling on speaker credibility and attitude change, depending on whether the audience identifies with the heckler or the speaker. (JMF)

Reports research results supporting the hypothesis that public speakers exhibit a psychological pattern of speech anxiety similar to the physiological pattern of speech anxiety. (MH)

Investigates how a speaker's expectations about the audience can influence public speaking anxiety and willingness to speak. Indicates that audience characteristics interact with speaking contexts in complex ways but that, in general, audience pleasantness exerts a stronger influence than audience familiarity, with pleasant friends the most…

Finds that M. Motley's measurement (in the Performance/Communication Orientation Scale) of "performance orientation" (the presentation must be perfect and will be closely scrutinized by the audience) was not associated with communication apprehension, public speaking anxiety, nor with public self-consciousness, thus proving to be internally…

Examines the hecklers and their tactics as well as the major candidates' strategies for dealing with this phenomenon during the 1968 campaign. Assesses the heckling's legitimacy in light of the First Amendment which protects the rights of both the hecklers and speakers to be heard. (JMF)

Reports three studies examining the relationship between people's public speaking anxiety and their construals of the public speaking experience. Finds that anxiety is related to both beliefs and concerns that play a major role in the preparation of speeches. (SR)

Examines William Norwood Brigance's distinguished career as a teacher, scholar, and leader in the speech communication profession. Questions why Brigance remained at Wabash College throughout his teaching career, and describes how his articles, books, and speeches reinforced his commitment to teaching effective citizen participation in a…

Reviews John P. Ryan's contributions to the speech communication profession. Discusses the following aspects of his method of public speaking, notable for its imaginative planning: (1) his insistence upon preparation, good thinking, good speech content; (2) his attention to delivery; repetition, organization, mnemonic words; and (3) his abundance…

Results indicated that at the outset of a semester public speaking course, the PRCA-24 and the general anxiety measure predicted the anxiety experienced by college students with equal power, but by the end of the semester the PRCA-24 was clearly superior in predicting self-reported anxiety. (PD)