Offers a critical reading of a controversial narrative on euthanasia that appeared in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," paying particular attention to what the narrative is doing rhetorically. Suggests the narrative is addressing topic and readers in a postmodern manner. (SR)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore developed a three-part procedure to help English language students overcome anxiety about preparing and delivering a two-minute persuasive talk as part of an exam. The approach has the students first talk about themselves and then use computer prompts and videotaped practice speeches. (LB)

Investigates university department chairs' use of compliance-gaining techniques and the influence of these techniques on faculty job satisfaction and ratings of chair performance. Finds that department chairs most frequently use compliance-gaining techniques from the power classification labeled "values/obligations." (SR)

Discusses the importance in business communication classes of the "You Attitude" (focusing messages on the interests and needs of the receiver rather than the sender) and "Naturalness" (using everyday wording). Studies their use in actual business correspondence. Finds only 27 percent of the correspondents making satisfactory use of the "You…

Studies the tone of essays published in the journal "PMLA" from 1975 to 1988. Notes that most are adversarial, and many are sarcastic or condescending. Suggests a sameness within the argumentation that may reflect writers' academic socialization. Concludes that some feminist writers dislike the adversary model and do not employ it. (SG)

Studies the discourse competence of mentally retarded residents of a group home by examining their arguments. Shows how their arguments exhibited useful patterns and gave evidence of being an acceptable and sought after discourse genre. Outlines the features of the residents' argument patterns. (HB)

Suggests that introductory acting and stagecraft classes provide prelaw students with an excellent opportunity to dissect, study, and practice their nonverbal communication skills while simultaneously engaging in the art of persuasion. (RS)

Presents an activity for secondary students in which they investigate the most famous trials of the 20th century. Explains that students learn the structure of a newspaper report when writing articles on their chosen trial. Includes a poster, a handout, and a list of famous trials. (CMK)

Contributes to scholarship on technical communication and organizational politics and power. Shows how to analyze a power imbalance and succeed in ethically and diplomatically outflanking a more powerful gatekeeper. Argues that analysis of six power variables can help decide whether to go around a gatekeeper, force a concession, or take a chance.…

Argues that many of the agents of transmission of persuasive communication to the classroom (i.e., public relations and advertising educators) are not as well prepared for the task as might be thought. Considers how curricular integration in advertising and public relations makes good economic sense, but to also make good educational sense it…

Compares the scientific papers produced by two research teams during the AIDS virus hunt. Investigates the "fine line between a bold, explicit rhetoric that may convince as well as offend and a bald, reserved rhetoric that may actually conceal important implications." Demonstrates that going too far across the line in either direction…

Describes reflective spectator judgment with respect to political judgment and rhetorical theory, and then proposes a method of stylistic analysis that may help to identify discursive features enabling reflective spectator judgment. Illustrates these discursive features (described as participatory forms) by performing a stylistic analysis of…

Compares respondents who watched the first 1996 presidential debate with respondents who did not. Finds (1) those who watched the debate could more accurately recognize issue positions of Clinton and Dole than nonwatchers; (2) differences in the groups' assessment of character traits of the leading candidates; and (3) more respondents gave policy…

Explains the basics of seeking free publicity through the news media. The target audience is smaller organizations that are seeking to build public awareness about programs but do not already have a professional public relations operation. Topics addressed include establishing a working relationship with media professionals, fine-tuning topics,…

Analyzed the argument linking of the commercial transaction frame in English, Russian, and Japanese. The commercial transaction frame is semantically complex, because there are two transfers in opposite directions (money goes from buyer to seller and goods from seller to buyer). English and Russian construe the commercial frame in essentially the…