Reasons for George McGovern's presidential election failure are summarized in the context of McGovern's rhetoric as a challenger. Taking the point of view that McGovern abandoned the traditional rhetorical advantages of the challenger, the authors conclude that this abandonment along with the problems of financing, the impression of alignment with…

This study sought to discover what critical apparatus would be most appropriate for observers of verbal discourse who choose to accept Aristotelian or "information theory" causal accounts of dynamic process. The major conclusions were: (1) Both causal systems employ a static grid to express relationships; but while the Aristotelian relations are…

This study examined the effects of channel variation on attitude change and source credibility. The fifty-four subjects who made up the four treatments (live, video, audio, control) were given a pre and posttest measure of attitude change consisting of 12 Likert-type scales. Additionally, the three experimental groups were administered a posttest…

The authors employ earlier research as a springboard from which to further investigate the relative resistance to counterpropaganda of attitude change resulting from counterattitudinal advocacy and from passive exposure to a persuasive message. Two hundred and twenty-six undergraduate students enrolled in summer session courses in sociology,…

This study investigated two questions: (1) Can a humorous persuasive message increase the amount of persuasion compared with a serious control message? (2) Can humor external to and contiguous with a persuasive message increase its persuasiveness? The research on the first question attempted to determine intervening variables responsible for prior…

The author reports on a study designed to determine the effects of figurative language--particularly the metaphor--on persuasive discourse, by comparing hypotheses developed from the theories of Michael Osborn, Jean Piaget, and Charles Osgood. In addition to a figurative language variable (metaphor versus literal), other variables in the study…

The author addresses his dissertation to two audiences: the mass communications practitioner, to help update his knowledge about the phenomena, and the researcher, to provide a starting point for a systematic pursuit of knowledge about media. In the first part, the author presents a model for persuasive mass communications, specifying the critical…

This study surveys speech-making practices and attitudes of practitioners in firms not primarily engaged in providing public relations services. Questionnaires designed to assess the uses of speech making as a public relations technique were sent to the 50 largest United States advertising agencies and to the 34 largest United States business and…

Since efforts to purify usage are fruitless, students should be taught to deal with the meanings in language as it is used.

Concludes that eye-contact behavior is a key ingredient to an evaluation of the televised 1976 Presidential Debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. (GW)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 65 items appearing in 1974 in seven areas: history and practice of argumentation, theory of argumentation, scholastic forensics, experimental studies; interpersonal conflicts, political campaign communication, and articles of general interest. (JMF)

Sixteen fifth graders and 16 ninth graders representing combinations of high and low SES delivered a persuasive message to each of four hypothetical target listeners. Deriving in part from Bernstein's developmental sociolinguistic theory, messages were analyzed into five major categories of appeal. (Author/JMB)

Considers the two cerebral hemispheres and their related functions as well as the understanding of how they can affect future educational planning. The right hemisphere, responsible for intuitive and creative processes, has been almost totally ignored in our society. Discusses the role of the art teacher in correcting that imbalance. (RK)

Believes that art is a powerful agent for educational growth, of fundamental importance, and therefore that its rightful place is at the core of the curriculum. (Author/RK)

There is a growing concern from many sectors of our society that schools should get back to the "basics". One of the "basics" that is still struggling to survive is that of sound physical development coupled with a healthy attitude towards participation in a great variety of athletic endeavors. Makes the case for better, more participatory…