Conclusions from a national survey of communication methods used by 195 deaf-blind students included that children with moderate and moderate-severe vision losses prefer visually presented gestures and IQ had little effect on choice of methods. (Author)

Argues that the problem with teaching today is too little research. Characterizes research-oriented teachers as spokesmen in the Classical Greek legal sense: they have firsthand knowledge, are eyewitnesses and discoverers or generators of knowledge. They are not dependent on others and speak with the force of authority. (JMF)

Describes current judging philosophies in academic debate and attempts to define policymaking, hypothesis testing, stock issues, and "tabula rasa" judging philosophies by examining the responses of judges so labeled to specific judging situations. (JMF)

Introduces a symposium aimed at providing a practical compendium of advice to teachers in communication for helping alleviate common communication problems among students in a classroom. (JMF)

Presents a case history of a private clinical treatment of an individual for communication reticence. Focuses on rhetoritherapy which deals with inculcating effective communication skills. Illustrates the kinds of problems and strategies that characterize private treatment. (JMF)

Identifies 25 recent studies isolating communication skills related to the organizational context. The skills most frequently identified are listening, written communication, oral reporting, motivating/persuading, interpersonal skills, informational interviewing, and small group problem solving. (JMF)

Offers some specific recommendations for strengthening speech communication as a discipline. Reports briefly on a survey of opinions regarding the quality of offerings in speech communication. (JMF)

Answers some of William Page's criticisms (see preceding article, EJ 227 456) regarding the use of rhetoritherapy v behavior therapy to deal with students who exhibit communication apprehension. Argues that rhetoritherapy deals with people who have problems, not with problems. It is concerned with what can be done about the problem, not what the…

Defines a theory of communication apprehension and discusses it in terms of rhetoritherapy. (See preceding articles, EJ 227 456 and EJ 227 457.) Concludes that each of the two schools provides treatment for different problems. (JMF)

Presents research on the use of student peer criticism in a college public speaking class in terms of the following: type of criticism given, perceptions of the criticism's helpfulness in preparing future speeches, and the sex of the speaker and rater. (JMF)

Argues that oral communication is important in business but is rarely taught in business communication courses. Provides five suggestions to teachers of oral communication: teach organization, teach different types of oral communication, offer training in the use of visual aids, use cassettes or videotape, and stress functional oral communication.…

The complex of factors governing mood choice in Spanish is reexamined. Mood choice is determined by the basic semantic values expressing the content of an utterance. The influence of comment, reaction, emotions, doubt, and uncertainty on mood choice are explored. (PMJ)

Analyzes a 1976 House of Representatives' debate in light of classical writings on the problem of defining and using "power" for rhetorical ends. Outlines the classical solution of powerful diction, brevity, and figures of speech for intensifying the impact of already compelling argument and applies these to the contemporary analysis.…

Investigated the theory that meaningful learning of new material could be facilitated through the use of relevant subsuming concepts (organizers) presented prior to the message. Hypothesized that these advance organizers would be superior to introductory overviews. No overall advance organizer superiority was found. (PD)

Explores the nature of rhetorical rituals and their contribution in sometimes maintaining social stability and in other times creating revolution. Analyzes examples of rhetorical rituals in public discourse, such as inaugural addresses, eulogies, and inspirational addresses. (PD)