Based on data gathered in a larger study of audience response to the debates held during the 1976 campaign for the presidency of the United States, a study examined the validity of uses and gratifications measures and explored how these measures were affected by differing levels of audience media activity. The data was drawn from telephone…

The 14 articles in this journal issue focus on the role of forensics in the eighties. Among the topics discussed in the articles are the following: (1) the survival of forensics, (2) intercollegiate debate, (3) accountability, and (4) intercollegiate forensics. In addition, several articles provide predictions and projections for the future of…

The process of interpersonal self-disclosure is a complex one that is contingent upon a number of interacting factors. Most self-disclosing relationships are characterized by a dyadic interaction (a relationship between two individuals); the use of nonverbal cues in the communicaton of personality states, moods, and feelings; trust and acceptance;…

To determine which communication skills employers in business and industry perceive as important for employees, a questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of personnel directors in business and industry in the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. Of the questionnaires mailed, 89 were returned (29.3% response rate). Analysis of the responses…

Phenomenology, a constantly renewed effort to see the world in a nonreductive and originative way, is useful in bringing about radical reflection on the phenomenon of communication as a human science. A human science is both a scientific and a humanistic endeavor; it is necessary to return to the phenomena under investigation and to permit them to…

The factors which influence a speaker's decision to use one categorization for an object as opposed to others that are available are analyzed. The categories that are most used in speech are basic level categories established at the most abstract level at which the category members: (1) share a number of physical and functional attributes, (2)…

It appears obvious that Jimmy Carter's religion became an issue in the 1976 presidential campaign because he chose to emphasize it. Such an emphasis would have seemed reasonable to Carter since a large natural constituency of evangelicals existed, the members of that constituency were becoming involved in politics, their sociocultural situation…

A model basic speech communication course is described in this paper, along with guidelines for developing and maintaining an individualized approach to the basic course. The course outline describes the university environment where the course is taught; the structure of the department offering the course; the philosophy and course objectives; the…

A study conducted to determine if speaking activities facilitated growth in writing involved approximately 60 community college students enrolled in freshman composition. A review of the literature supported the notions that a definite relationship exists between talking and writing, that prewriting activities affect the quality of composition,…

The characteristics of demagogic discourse and a methodology appropriate for its analysis can be illustrated by examining Huey Long's "Every Man a King" radio address on February 20, 1934. The demagogue is similar to the revered public figure in that both are mass leaders, charismatic, and heroic. But the demagogue elicits powerful…

The following essays on children's spoken language are included in this volume: "Play with Language and Speech" by Catherin Garvey, "'You Fruithead': A Sociolinguistic Approach to Children's Dispute Settlement" by Donald Brenneis and Laura Lein, "From Verbal Play to Talk Story: The Role of Routines in Speech Events among…

APPROXIMATELY 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S COMMUNICATION IS ORAL. LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS ARE THUS ESSENTIAL FOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERCHANGE OF IDEAS. THESE SKILLS CAN BE TAUGHT BOTH OVERTLY AND COVERTLY BY THE TEACHER WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THEM. THESE SKILLS CAN OFTEN BE TAUGHT IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES AND WITH SUCH DIRECTLY…

THIS REPORT CONTAINS FOUR ARTICLES REPRESENTING THE FINAL EFFORTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM IN SPEECH CONTROL. THE ARTICLES ARE TITLED (1) "THE BEHAVIORAL BASIS OF THE POLARITY PRINCIPLE IN LINGUISTICS," (2) "MODELS OF LEARNING AND METHODS OF TEACHING," (3) "RETENTION OF VOCAL TOPOGRAPHY," AND (4)…

A study was conducted to replicate and extend an earlier investigation of the persuasive effects of extended, intense concluding sex and death metaphors by using a more controlled design and by mixing metaphors. Fifty-eight high school students completed pretests assessing their attitudes toward a speech topic (legalization of marijuana). Two…

This study defines the notion of communication methodology, situates the context in which it operates, and concentrates on the problem of the acquisition of knowledge in general, and of language acquisition, in particular. From the notion of methodology, the study moves to the method of global communication, that is, a method comprising four…