Uses William B. Stiles' discourse analysis system to determine whether there are general differences in the way individuals varying in construct system development use their utterances to establish understanding with each other. Finds that construct system development was positively correlated with edification and question response mode use, and…

Analyzes Fisher Ames' fiery speech of 1796 on the Jay Treaty. Demonstrates the influence of Scottish enlightenment thinkers (particularly in moral sense philosophy and faculty psychology) on Ames and his rhetoric. Demonstrates how Ames made a compelling case to shift the standard of political judgment from reason to passion. (SR)

Examines how the timing of Virginia's Ratification Convention twisted the principles of presumption and burden of proof in favor of the Federalists. Applies Richard Whately's rhetorical constructs to actual debates to analyze rhetorical strategies and voting behavior. Argues the need to modify the meaning of presumption and burden of proof. (KEH)

Reports on an investigation of whether or not persuasive writers actually can engineer a match between their stylistic and organizational intentions and their readers' perceptions of those elements of a text. Finds that a consistent writer/reader perceptual match can be achieved. (MS)

Analyzes argumentative essays written to both friendly and hostile audiences by high school seniors and college undergraduates. Finds level of intellectual development a more significant predictor of holistic paper scores than demographic variables. (MS)

Presents a case study of the interpenetration of the paradigm discourses of science, religion, politics, and law and public motive structures as demonstrated by the controversy over scientific creationism. Argues that the discursive populist commitments of journalism indirectly legitimate the populist discourse of creationism. (RAE)

Investigates 14-year-old students' ability to recognize argumentation without having systematic instruction; and whether the identification of argumentation is an independent skill. Finds that after a 20-minute explanation, a large proportion of 14-year-olds could not identify simple argumentation. Concludes that identifying argumentation is a…

Compares three television networks' treatments of "A New Beginning" (a Reagan campaign film shown at the 1984 Republican National Convention) and examines the effects on viewers of one network's critical preview of the film. Assesses the uses and limitations of rhetorical criticism in television coverage of political campaigns. (SR)

Describes Riesman's theory of the stages of character development in the social order, and uses his model of three types of personal characteristics to examine the ways in which the concept and function of bibliographic citations in scholarly discourse change over time. (53 notes/references) (CLB)

Discusses how readers process text and the implications this processing has for technical writers. Presents guidelines for designing documents so that readers can better understand and apply what they have learned from text. (JAD)

Examines techniques of sexist role reinforcement in British and Malaysian newspapers. Features in the British press include modification, relexicalization, reductive language, puns, alliteration, and the classification of women as pin-up commodities or annexes of males. The less explicit sexist language in the Malaysian press shows an even greater…

Describes a set of writing assignments in a high school English class in which students research controversial, complex issues and then write letters to government officials or persuasive essays for other students, thus learning about persuasive writing, and civic action, and becoming more exacting in their language and more precise in their…

In an introductory computer course taught by a woman, 46 students received standard instruction, 46 received additional verbally persuasive lectures; the control group numbered 56. Classroom instruction and hands-on practice increased task and general self-efficacy regarding computers. Verbal persuasion effects were inconclusive; the intervention…

The four articles in this journal present a case study of reflection and communication in learning mathematics; an examination of elaborative interrogation; a study of effects of learning style, study tasks, and instruction; and an assessment of argumentative skills among Finnish university students. (SLD)

Examined two series of fantasy play interactions, one in which a young child succeeded in directing the play of her peers and one in which a child was less successful at similar influence attempts. A theory of double-voiced discourse illustrates how dual-orientated talk facilitates children's efforts to influence peers during fantasy play. (54…