This paper argues that the judge who uses argumentation and logic as the sole criteria for determining the winner of an academic debate sees debate as an intellectual contest with speech being only an incidental element. A paradigm for judging is presented and discussed in terms of the following core concepts: analysis, investigation, evidence,…

The following characteristics of Woelfel and Haller's (1971) Linear Force Aggregation Theory (LFAT) recommend its use to persuasion researchers. It is primarily a descriptive theory that interrelates theoretical propositions with measurement techniques and thereby allows for the generation of precise predictions that can be falsified. Emphasis on…

The concept of inherency is an important issue in contemporary academic debate, although little attention has been paid to the underlying rationale behind its use. A review of the literature suggests that one purpose of inherency is to demonstrate that the cause of the problem that the affirmative position isolates is accurately described. A…

Mass persuasion involves a message production process which significantly alters or reinforces an attitude, belief, or action of the members of a large, heterogeneous audience. A synthetic communication model for mass persuasion has been constructed which incorporates aspects of several models created to describe the process of effective…

At the first annual Cal-State Hayward Conference in Rhetorical Criticism, upper division and graduate students from 12 colleges and universities presented papers on the theory, history, and criticism of rhetoric. A panel of faculty members, serving as editor-critics, judged the five papers in this volume as outstanding. The titles and authors of…

The units in the Persuasion Program are meant to help students develop a critical awareness of methods and techniques used by those who want to persuade or influence them, and to help the students develop a proficiency in the art of persuading others. In this program, TV, films, radio, newspapers, magazines, and all types of advertising are…

The use of computer simulation to aid instruction in speech-communication will be investigated. A computer program called ARISTOTLE will be employed in the teaching of concepts of audience analysis to students enrolled in an advanced communication theory course. The program works as follows. The user first encodes a set of issues associated with a…

This research sought to determine the persuasive impact of Toulmin's categories of message development. Specific hypotheses were formulated after a review of the literature related to "backing for the warrant" (evidence), "rebuttal" (two-sided messages), and "qualifier" (message-receiver discrepancy). Results from a…

Explores some critical questions concerning the nature and functions of the dimension of audience-personification in rhetorical discourse. (MH)

Studies the effects of evidence in persuasive communication and suggests that the nature of the communication topic may be significantly related to evidence effectiveness and the attitude change process. (MH)

Examines an experiment designed to determine if a relationship exists between the order of information in a specific persuasive request letter situation and the effectiveness of the message. (MH)

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)

Discusses the failure of Gerald Ford's speech pardoning Richard Nixon and the relationship between moral and legal themes. The speech failed because Ford did not effectively combine these themes into a single compatible perspective from which his pardon became the appropriate response to the situation. (JMF)

Argues that we can formulate a unifying principle for the public school in a fragmented, pluralistic society. Addresses itself to three topics: 1) the need for a unifying principle, 2) the formulation of a principle for which a maximum consensus can be claimed, and 3) a common curriculum that would implement the principle. (Author/RK)