An experiment was conducted to investigate variables which affect a communicator's attribution of freedom to a communicatee. As predicted, greater freedom was attributed to the communicatee (1) when the reaction to the communication was favorable, and (2) when a subsequent communication was to be directed toward the same communicatee. (Author)

Examines the role of satire in immunizing receivers to counterarguments and concludes that attitude changes effected in low ego involved subjects are not maintained when influenced by counterarguments. (MH)

Suggests modifying the triparite system of analyzing argumentative statements by using definitional, factual, evaluative and policy classifications. (MH)

A review of research into the sex-related differences in persuasibility. (CH)

Deprived of a given world an author can assume he shares with his readers, an author today is thereby also deprived of a given rhetoric and must create his own. (JH)

This paper discusses the design of an instructional unit examining scientific argumentation with prospective biology teachers. Linguistics and philosophy of science have turned to argumentation as a relevant skill; its importance in science classes has also been highlighted by scholars. We define school scientific argumentation and analyse its…

The American space shuttle Challenger's explosion prompted a national grieving process typified by stages of shock, disbelief, acknowledgement, and finally recovery/adaptation. President Reagan's speech on the evening of the disaster assisted this process by integrating content and structure with the psychological needs of the audience. Reagan's…

This paper maintains that American thinking on propaganda revolves around five approaches--progressive propaganda critics, media practitioners, textual rationalists, communication scientists, and political polemicists--that all have deep roots in the twentieth century social and intellectual history of the United States. The paper examines the…

This paper provides an overview of the development of sponsors for primary and general election debates at the presidential level and considers the various sponsorship alternatives for future debates. From a historical perspective, the paper discusses the major role that the broadcasting industry played in the early presidential debates and…

Included in the many problems of current televangelism which are cause for concern are the constant appeals for donations. Under current circumstances, with tremendous sums of money needed to use television for religious purposes, televangelists resort to sensationalism for mass appeal rather than to spreading the gospel. This ethical problem…

The current use of "informative and persuasive" speeches as public address types cannot be justified on functional grounds. The types of speeches chosen through which to gain adherence of minds are secondary to what it is that an individual wishes to gain adherence to. Specifically, the chosen thesis will determine the type of speeches…

This case study examined one advanced undergraduate student's efforts to write on similar topics for three different audiences--an advanced composition class, a history of Western philosophy class, and a district meeting of Pi Alpha Theta. Initially the student was juggling the demands of writing research papers for her two courses, and the third…

This study examined the problem of a suspected decline in the number of schools offering courses in the coaching of high school and college forensics. A list of 127 schools offering graduate programs in the areas of rhetorical and communication theory, public address, and speech communication education was generated from the 1986-87…

This paper describes some methods found to be successful in helping students learn two major thinking strategies: making and supporting generalizations, and argumentation. The paper includes sample materials involving a variety of different subject areas to provide ideas about activities that work with students at a variety of ability and grade…

Analysis of work rhetoric and economic vision in selected television ads from the 1984 presidential campaign showed that the ads of both Mondale and Reagan appropriated traditional "work ethic" appeals in presenting the candidates' economic visions, although each candidate emphasized different aspects of the American Dream. Mondale's…