An essay exploring the application of moral criticism to rhetorical discourse; based upon two lectures given at the State University of New York at Binghamton, November 1968. (Editor/RD)

Identifies current issues in argumentation by reviewing writings in "JAFA," a scholarly journal with an argumentation focus. Also examines seven recent undergraduate texts in terms of their treatment of those issues. (PD)

Concludes that expressive writing tasks generated essays at both fourth- and sixth-grade levels that were judged to be higher in quality than those produced for either explanatory or persuasive writing tasks. (FL)

Business letter-writers are advised to develop reader empathy and benefit before they ask a favor. The author analyzed two model 16th century letters of request to determine if similar advice was given in the past, and found that the request was subordinate to building a mutually beneficial relationship. (PD)

Examines three basic approaches for teaching argument in a composition class--logical/analytic, content/problem solving, and rhetorical/generative. Discusses the problems of each and defends the rhetorical/generative approach as the one that reaches its goal most directly and most reliably. (HTH)

Justice Lewis Powell's opinion on the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke is studied as an act of persuasion and a piece of rhetoric. A comment by Jan Deutch and a response by James B. White are included. (Available from: Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, VA 24550, $5.00) (MLW)

By analyzing the aggregated results of independent studies for possible sex biases in "influenceability" experiments, two hypotheses were tested: (1) content of influence inductions is biased in the masculine direction, and (2) sex typing of content relates to the sex difference outcomes of the experiments, with more masculine content…

Found that college students are motivated to participate in debate to fulfill the following broad range of needs: educational, social, competitive, career preparation, miscellaneous, and financial. Results of this study suggest that educational motivations are clearly more important than competitive needs. (PD)

Course content of a course at the University of Malawi (Africa) in legal English covered client interviews, letter writing, evaluation of judgments, advocacy (oral work in court), and drafting legal documents. No precedent and very few instructional materials were found for such a course. (MSE)