Describes the stages of value analysis. Concludes that the practice of debating value resolutions may lead to a refinement and expansion of argumentation theory and can provide students with an opportunity to clarify their own values. (PD)

Focuses on people "having arguments" and "making arguments" in conversation. Considers (1) examples of ordinary arguments, (2) argument as the disagreement-relevant expansion of speech acts, and (3) felicity conditions and the interpretation of arguments. (PD)

Explores the assumptions underlying the role of values in rhetorical interactions, the meaning of "logic" in relation to "good reasons," a reconceptualization of "good reasons," implementation of a "logic of 'good reasons'," and the uses of hierarchies of values in assessing rhetorical reasoning. (JMF)

Suggests that effects rather than motives or methods become the definitive way of measuring the ethical quality of discourse. Also suggests that the supposed dichotomy between absolutist and relativist approaches to moral judgments is mistaken. Approaches to moral judgment are seen as applications of consensual rules which follow a quasi-juridical…

Traces the use of the "continuity" motif in the Right to Life movement's rhetoric and its influence on the depiction of the abortion controversy. Analyzes how the motif functions rhetorically to aid the movement in defining its activities and involvement. (PD)

Argues that the development of a rhetorical theory for social movements is a lost cause. Examines two questions: (1) how movements differ from other forms of collective behavior, and (2) whether these differences create rhetorical differences. (PD)

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)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 33 items in the ERIC system on the subject of academic debate and forensics. Items surveyed cover the period 1970 to 1979 and reveal content and progression of thought. (JMF)

Responds to a paper by Brant Burleson and continues the dispute regarding whether argument-as-product or argument-as-interaction should be regarded as the paradigm case or exemplar of argument. Defends the primacy of the interactional view by reference to the shortcomings of the serial predicative view. (JMF)

Explores the process by which contenders for the presidential nominations of the major parties in 1976 emerged, with particular reference to the impact of changes in campaign financing law and of the rules for convention delegate selection on that process. (JMF)

Evaluation as a process of obtaining and providing useful information for making educational decisions is discussed with reference to the concepts expressed in "The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation." The need for the evaluator to know the approaches, interests, and values of the decision maker is discussed. (CTM)

The Judicial Evaluation Model (JEM) is presented as a necessary supplement to the technique developed in "The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation" because persuasion only serves the side that wins, whereas JEM serves to keep inquiry reasonable and impartial and to enhance credibility. (CTM)

Reports that the purposes of writers of letters to the editor, as well as several kinds of unwritten editorial policies, accounted for the low level of mobilizing information in letters to the editor published by one daily newspaper. (GT)

Children between the ages of 10 and 11 1/2 years were given a problem in interpersonal persuasion in either a practical or a hypothetical context. Children in the practical context exhibited higher levels of perspectivism than those in the hypothetical context. (JMB)

Advocates using persuasive letter writing assignments in business communication courses. (RL)