Posits a strategy of resistance to the influence of attack messages in political campaigns. Finds that political campaign messages can be designed to inoculate supporters of candidates against subsequent attack messages of opposing candidates. (MS)

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…

Presents basic research on the concept of rhetorical coherence, analyzing an actual welfare interview emersed in controversy. Suggests a pentad of criteria necessary for the achievement of rhetorical coherence. (SR)

Examines Freud's Clark Conference Lectures in which he offers a case in point of the intersection among knowledge, power, and discourse. Argues that Freud's rhetorical action constituted the "new" knowledge of psychoanalysis, while simultaneously forging relationships between the scientific and medical communities that endowed the…

Examines the seven basic propaganda techniques (name calling, glittering generalities, transfer, testimonials, plain folks, card stacking, and bandwagon) in terms of the principles of general semantics. (SR)

Using the Children's Advertising Review Unit guidelines, analysis of 142 ads in 14 children's magazines found (1) lack of emphasis on positive social standards; (2) failure to substantiate product claims; (3) lack of encouragement for good nutrition; and (4) disclosures and disclaimers in language not understood by children. (SK)

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…

Discusses the work of Bill Day, "Detroit Free Press" editorial cartoonist, who uses his cartoons to convey a political message. Recounts that Day began his career in college with the University of Florida newspaper during the Viet Nam War era. (PA)

Examines Exxon's communication efforts in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster. Identifies communication practices that damaged the corporation's credibility, antagonized the public, and contributed to the public perception of its corporate arrogance. Notes that the Valdez spill makes a good case for classroom study. (PRA)

Updates J. Robert Cox's analysis of the first National Debate Tournament (NDT) judging philosophy booklet. Compares the 1974 and 1988 results showing both similarities and differences among judges attitudes and beliefs about debate issues. Offers further research questions to study the influence of judging paradigms and the decline of NDT debate.…

Enlightens the origins of argumentation theory through a description of the evolution of the concept and practice of philosophically oriented discussion. Describes how Plato adapted the sophistic concept of "dialegesthai" and how that adaptation is tied to his bifurcation of rhetoric and philosophy. (RS)

Miller uses examples of Girl Scouts selling cookies and candy to describe effective selling techniques. Percy and Mullen offer points to guide effective communication in a business setting: define outcome; use a familiar structure; limit content; relate content to participants' needs; use varied methods; let participants test their understanding;…

Argues that a substantive differentiation of extemporaneous and impromptu forensic speaking events is possible and appropriate. Offers suggestions to distinguish the literal argumentative skills inherent to extemporaneous speaking from the metaphorical advocacy ideally inherent in impromptu speaking. (PRA)

Reports a test of three competing explanations of the influence of prosocialness (benefiting society) on the operation of two sequential request techniques (foot-in-the-door and door-in-the-face). Finds that prosocialness did influence compliance but that it had no demonstrable impact on the operation of either request technique. (NH)

Describes several ways that a good marketing message conveys benefits to the reader and differentiates the product from its competition. (SR)