Describes a critical writing assignment in which students assess the role that television "soap operas" have played in relationship to the students' culture and to themselves. The assignment includes collection and separation of material, unifying arguments, enlargement of perspective, and analysis and illustration. (HTH)

Presents transcripts, editorial analysis (case outlines), and judges' critiques in the final debate of the 37th National Debate Tournament between students from the University of Kansas and Dartmouth College. (PD)

Although propaganda appears to be universal, its language may not be, reflecting instead the particular cultural context in which it emerges and is used. To understand the various styles of propaganda is to better understand their cultural functions. (MSE)

Examines two specific hypotheses on the dynamics of persuasion: first, whether the manipulation of arguments presented to support an advocated opinion should influence the effectiveness of an expert source more than an attractive source, and second, audience reaction toward expert versus attractive sources when considering a number of arguments…

This paper offers a summary of two aspects of effective speaking in public, whether it be with co-workers, supervisors, friends, or a group of little-known or unknown others. One aspect of public speaking is the level of sincerity, and the other is the level and variety of skills used. The paper first considers sincerity and then, it discusses the…

Fear appeals are persuasive messages that emphasize harmful physical or social consequences of failing to comply with message recommendations. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) emphasizes cognitive or rational reactions to fear appeals and identifies four message components which initiate corresponding cognitive mediating processes of appraising…

The persuasive writing program described in this lesson plan introduces grades 3 to 5 students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them, making persuasive arguments, and applying the techniques of persuasive oral arguments to independent persuasive writing activities. During the four 40-minute lessons, students…

Students, either male or female, can be silenced by the adversarial discourse that often characterizes argumentative situations. Alternatives proposed by feminist rhetoricians should apply to any voice silenced in the classroom. Rhetoricians concerned with empowering writers of argument have illustrated three alternatives that enable writers to…

Argumentation is treated as an aspect of communication theory and in light of audiences' social values. (CH)

Presents evidence that written responses to modality develop from a homogeneous writing quality to a more heterogeneous writing quality with some modes systematically favored over others." (Author)