Discusses the development of rhetorical analyses of political addresses from antiquity to modern times. Focuses on "epideictic address," i.e., addresses by representative persons. Rhetorical and discourse analytical approaches are used to analyze parts of Dutch Queen Beatrix' speech to the Israeli Parliament. Discusses the hybrid…

Studied the extent to which students' knowledge, beliefs, and reactions to articles were differentially influenced by traditional or online persuasive texts. Results for 131 undergraduates show that the computerized text was more difficult for students to understand and less interesting, and the authors were found to be less credible. (SLD)

Nationwide, debate teams provide an outlet for low income, inner city students. The creator of the Urban Debate League believes that if students could use words to tackle issues and get the attention of decisionmakers, they would not need to use their fists. Participants find that urban debate is transformative, enhancing students' analytical…

Uses the family social relations model (SRM) to test for the personal relationship qualities of influence and persuasion in the family decision-making context of buying a new car. Uncovers patterns in the relationship qualities of influence and persuasion across three decisions families make when buying a new car (i.e., how much to spend, car…

Investigates ways students engage in scientific reasoning practices through the formulation of written argument. Through textual analyses of university students' scientific writing, examined how general theoretical claims are tied to specific data in constructing evidence. (Author/VWL)

Investigates sensation seeking as a moderating variable of 368 adolescents' reactions to antimarijuana public service announcements. Notes that two structural equation models (one for high sensation seekers and the other for low sensation seekers) revealed two very different styles of processing the ads. Considers how antimarijuana attitudes for…

Analyzes the rhetorical strategies of the direct action AIDS organization ACT UP using Kenneth Burke's concept of the comic frame. Suggests conditions under which other despised and oppressed groups may respond after having been scapegoated by society. (PA)

Presents ways in which thematization can be used to control hortatory rhetoric, including varying the complexity of thematic structure and varying the amount of discourse participant themes. The article examines how different choices of thematic progression as text organizers can produce different effects and finds correlations with the…

Demonstrates the importance of extra-legal texts in contextualizing and challenging judicial authority by analyzing Black Abolitionist responses to "Scott v. Sandford" (the "Dred Scott" decision). Concludes that responses to Dred Scott demonstrate how legally excluded classes may persuasively challenge constitutional authority…

Proposes that the qualities of nonsequentiality that make hypertext appealing to writers and readers of informative and literary texts are also those that problematize arguments in the same settings. Contends that for a hypertextual argument to succeed, it should clearly employ the fundamentals of giving good reasons and ample evidence. Presents a…

Presents the necessary steps for designing an effective language learning tool to foster communication and negotiation, considering the importance of supporting integral education, using tasks, providing elaborated input and feedback, and promoting collaborative learning. Reports on a study conducted using such a tool to determine whether…

Describes a nontraditional discourse forum, computer-based conferences, in which students hold written conversations to discuss readings, debate issues, share frustrations, and try to become comfortable with the ideas presented in the classroom. Argues that these computer conferences are powerful learning forums for students because they encourage…

Focuses on the language of civil engineering as manifested in the professional journal "Civil Engineering ASCE." Articles are analyzed, both syntactically and lexically, in terms of three major rhetorical functions: description, prescription, and persuasion. (17 references) (GLR)

Investigates the persuasive communication of male and female middle managers, focusing on the mediating influence of a manager's power on his or her selection of anticipated compliance-gaining message strategies. Finds no marked differences between the genders in the types of strategies and tactics used to influence subordinates. (KEH)

Uses Karl Weick's view of organizing and traditional rhetorical theory to explore (1) how private organizations need public space within them; (2) how organizations affect the public sphere and are affected by that sense of the public; and (3) how organizational and rhetorical theorists might join in understanding the "privatizing" of…