This essay explores a reading of "Robinson Crusoe" that suggests the novel has taken on new gravity after the first "preemptive" war in U.S. history, a war justified by the attempt to "spread freedom" to Iraq. It examines how Crusoe comes to understand the relationship between the state and the individual. Robinson…

The author, a high school teacher and forensics coach, describes ways to teach writing--including on-demand essays--that draw on successful practices she developed in coaching. Students learn the importance of using personal conviction and qualified thesis statements to build arguments, as well as learning "The Debater Four-Step," an effective…

Discusses how John C. Calhoun's speech "On Reception of the Abolition Petitions," illuminates his logical defense of slavery, while revealing that the logic was inextricably bound up in a powerful psycho-logic. Focuses on the role metaphor plays, particularly the functions of place, space, and related symbolic indices of orientation. (JD)

Examines recent attempts by a number of theorists to develop a "rhetoric of the human sciences." Argues that contemporary tendencies to elevate rhetoric at the expense of such traditional notions as scientific objectivity, ontology, and epistemological foundationalism are mistaken. (JK)

Reflects on the work of Jurgen Habermas to help develop an objective and subjective rhetoric that are not in isolation from each other. Finds communicative competence a challenging conception of rhetoric's humane purpose: namely, the formation of autonomous and responsible speakers, capable of participating fully in the discourse of a speech…

Argues that silence can be a specifically feminist rhetorical art, often one of resistance. Draws on two key rhetorical movements: the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings and the never-heard hearing of Lani Guinier. Explores the rhetorical dimensions of silence as a feminist position that can resist disciplinary pigeon-holing, embrace political…

Establishes grounds in classical tradition for the concept of generative rhetoric, an approach to argument that finds the means of social change in the generative capacity of language itself. Examines generative structures in the Greek system of invention. Suggests that capacity for invention is embedded in a process of variations on existing…

Presents an edited transcript of a panel discussion on ghostwriting. Discusses the process of ghostwriting books and speeches; the relationship between writer and "client"; the ghostwriter's influence on policy; ethics and professionalism of ghostwriting; differences between ghostwriting and speech writing; the authenticity of…

Identifies four metaphors that appear dominant in current studies in the field of technical communication: transmitter, channel, balance, and bridge. Suggests limitations upon each of the metaphors. Discusses the alternative metaphors of lock, translator, transformer, synthesizer, conductor, and orchestrator. Proposes orchestration as a fruitful…

Examines Thomas M. Sawyer's proposed legalistic model for ethical argumentation. Argues that Sawyer's model is inadequate because ethical rules are all too plentiful and because the model invites uncritical appeals to ethical rules. Illustrates how argument from analogy is better than Sawyer's approach for discovering and presenting well-defended…

Supplements existing rhetorical scholarship by returning to the notion of invention as general preparation of the communicator. Explores the need for invention in technical communication and summarizes Kenneth Burke's theories of dialectic and rhetoric. Presents strategies for invention, and offers advice for incorporating them into teaching…

Public memorial services held in New York City on September 11, 2002, marked the most important U.S. civic commemoration of the present era. Numerous popular and academic critics excoriated speakers on that day for commemorating the occasion with commemorative declamations instead of offering original speeches. This essay contends that assessing…

Intrinsic justification in academic debate focuses on the essential characteristics of the terms in a topic. The technique, advocated by Ken Bahm, works with very few Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) topics. It gives rise to counterwarrants, which create more confusion than clarity, while its counterplans destroy affirmative grounds. In…

Discusses problems that arise through use of ironic language in arguments. Examines how and why irony is used in argumentation and, specifically, how an ironic tone is recognized. (AEW)

Analyzes judicial dissent as a backdrop for examining Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's dissenting opinion in the 1983 abortion decision. Highlights O'Connor's distinctive defense of personal credibility, emphasis on legal logic, and appeal for reversal of "Roe vs. Wade." Discusses how effectively the value appeals characteristic of judicial…