Develops a theory of apocalyptic texts and movements by applying Kenneth Burke's conception of the tragic and comic frames of acceptance to the text of the Christian Apocalypse and to the history of its interpretation. Uses Burke's "psychology of form" to explain the recurring patterns of apocalyptic argument as functions of…

Investigates the effects of verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness on two quantitative dimensions of compliance-gaining message use, persistence and diversity. Finds that, among college students, argumentativeness is positively related to strategic diversity, and that verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness interact to effect persistence.…

Explores how topics of arguments relate to argumentativeness among college students. Finds that individuals reported greater frequency of advocacy than refutative behavior during arguments and that high argumentatives engaged in more advocacy and refutation than moderates or lows. Suggests implications to the interactionist approach to the study…

Narrates how the American Forensic Association (AFA) evolved in ways that involved both adaptation and consistency. Describes issues that have driven the AFA's agenda in the first 50 years. Considers the style through which the organization's members have addressed these issues. Notes that the growth of forensics was not isolated from the growth…

Summarizes the preceding essays in this publication and speculates about their implications for the future of the American Forensic Association (AFA) as the association salutes its Golden Anniversary. Considers the impact the changes in forensics will have on the AFA. (NH)

Notes that much had changed in the Roman's social order at the end of the Republic. Claims both Vitruvius and Cicero used writing to persuade Roman citizens to reclaim their heritage: of building arts in Vitruvius' case; and of philosophy and meaningful public oratory in Cicero's case. (NH)

Discusses the importance of persuasion in business and offers four essential steps to effective persuasion: establish credibility, identify common ground, use vivid language and compelling evidence, and connect emotionally with the audience. (JOW)

Argues that the emergence and popularity of talk radio should inform students of public argument about current rhetorical practices. Considers two interrelated themes: lack of a viable civil society able to serve as a mediating force between market excesses and the government's distance; and the absence of public space to provide opportunity for…

States that "rhetoric as epistemic" and the rhetoric of science have a common ancestor, rhetorical theory as a theory of argumentation and invention. Contends, further, that when the epistemic accounts venture too far from the dynamics of argumentation, the project is vulnerable to being absorbed by other disciplinary projects such as…

Examines the burlesque discourse of William F. Buckley Jr. in his books discussing his liberal opponents. Finds that Buckley's work mediates tragedy and comedy in that he accepts and rejects his political antagonists at one and the same time. Discusses the classification of literary genres as frames of acceptance and rejection, which center on…

Deals with the effects of aesthetic quality and argumentational integrity or fairness on the persuasiveness of contributions to argumentation. Basic argumentative dialogs were varied in aesthetic quality via the use of figurative language and in fairness via the addition of faulty, insincere, or unjust arguments.(Author/VWL)

Focuses on the debates over the MacKinnon-Dworkin Anti-Pornography Ordinance to explore one instance of definitional argument: the attempt to effect a redefinition. Argues that advocates for a definitional shift created the possibility for a "terministic catharsis" by simultaneously locating pornography in multiple locations on the pentad,…

The simultaneous rise in popularity of radio and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's (FDR's) political fortune is an interesting historical twist of fate. Radio brought news alive, but left people free to create images in their imaginations. FDR's distinctive voice and jollity flowed into people's homes. His disability was invisible. Radio helped make…

Most theories of decision making suggest that, when options imply tradeoffs between their attributes, conflict increases as tradeoff size increases, because greater sacrifices are to be incurred in choosing one option instead of another. An alternative view is that conflict decreases as tradeoff size increases, because stronger arguments can be…

A meta-analysis of the available judgment and memory data on the sleeper effect in persuasion is presented. According to this effect, when people receive a communication associated with a discounting cue, such as a noncredible source, they are less persuaded immediately after exposure than they are later in time. Findings from this meta-analysis…