Examined how persuasion relates to structural characteristics of attitudes, including the number and supportiveness of initial beliefs. Found that the tendency for strong arguments to persuade more than weak arguments was more pronounced for message recipients who retrieved more beliefs as compared to those who retrieved fewer beliefs. (RJM)

Identifies and discusses divergent synecdochal representations of the handgun as vital to both the construction and maintenance of competing social realities (handgun as threatened liberty and handgun as threatened life) in the debate over the Brady Bill. Demonstrates how such representations serve as divergent rhetorical constructs for competing…

This essay examines the idea of intellectual authority as reflected in legal and literary theory and reviews empirical studies of effects of institutional authority on acceptance/rejection of papers by juried journals. It refutes ideas of Stanley Fish that an author's background (his/her "institutional authority") are relevant in evaluating the…

Proposes an argumentation-based method for information retrieval that involves representing a scholarly article by means of rhetorical structure rather than by a semantic representation of content. Topics addressed include problems with indexing practices, the argumentative nature of articles, rhetoric as an information categorizing schema, and…

This paper reviews the literature on the sexual victimization of adolescent males, with emphasis on victim selection factors and strategies. A letter written by a middle-aged man to entice a teenage boy into sexual activity is then presented and analyzed. (DB)

Extends previous modality and source cue studies by manipulating argument quality. Randomly assigned college students by class to an argument quality by source attribute by modality factorial experiment. Finds the print mode produces only argument main effects, and audio and video modes produce argument by cue interactions. Finds data inconsistent…

Anecdotes about messages college presidents send to constituencies illustrate that language is powerful in conveying institutional values and expectations. Suggestions for using language more persuasively include (1) using terms that include rather than exclude and being sensitive to groups' preferred terminology; (2) avoiding inaccurate or…

Argues that the use of evidentials illuminates differences between arguments written by experienced academic writers and those written by student writers. Reveals differences in the epistemological stance underlying both groups. Analyzes discursive examples by both groups. (HB)

Analyzes congressional deliberations over America's first peacetime propaganda program from 1947-53. Finds three distinct periods: naivete, hysteria, psychological strategy. Argues that the Truman administration produced an ethnocentric approach to propaganda whereas the Eisenhower administration adopted a more internationalist perspective which…

Reports findings from a think-aloud protocol study of reading, writing, and persuasive processes in legal discourse during an actual appellate court case. Discusses three aspects of advocates' use of persuasive techniques in written appeal briefs. Focuses on specific persuasive techniques utilized by attorneys. (HB)

Argues that the vice presidency is a traditional female role and that nominees must undergo a sublimation process during their candidacy. Analyzes an apparent aberration in public talk about vice presidential candidates and notes the similarity in rhetorical "rules" impacting the candidacy of both Geraldine Ferraro and Dan Quayle. (KEH)

Summarizes four basic strategies in persuasion based on classical rhetoric, modern communication theory, and practical methods from advertising that can be translated for immediate use in the classroom. Suggests that the following maneuvers be taught: (1) echo the reader; (2) sell use; (3) ask for action; and (4) talk the reader's language. (KEH)

Discusses some aspects and strategies of persuasion that might underlie any written persuasive business message. Focuses more on "Think about It" rather than "How-to." (KEH)

Arguments offered in discussion by today's college students are not intended to persuade but are rather expressions of solidarity with the politically correct. Healthy democracy requires appreciation of the importance of public argument as a means of persuasion. Higher education needs a renewed commitment to this principle. (MSE)

Describes the Thesis Analysis and Synthesis Key (TASK), a strategy which helps high school and college students to think through the elements of an argumentative essay, and to write more convincing arguments themselves. (SR)