The 37 essays in this collection describe the usefulness of general semantics in different daily situations. After an introduction by Alvin Toffler, "The Relevance of General Semantics," essays in the collection include: "Time-Binding To Build a Fire" (James D. French); "To Be a Poet a Thousand Years Hence" (James…

An overlooked framework that allows for clearer understanding of effective teaching is the field of rhetoric. Although the concept has changed over time, Aristotle defines rhetoric as observing the available means of persuasion. These means include ethos, a speaker's credibility; pathos, appeal to emotions; and logos, appeal to reason or…

An analysis of scholarly publications in applied linguistics focuses on the use of such publications as "dialogue" between applied linguists to promote social responsibility in the application of their work. A review of 40 citations representing 63 papers is presented and results are discussed. Common strategies found for dispelling misconceptions…

This paper summarizes the 1986 findings of Kyoko Oi on the distinctive features of differences in discourse pattern between English and Japanese, using results from the argumentative English as a Second Language (ESL) writing of 87 Japanese students in Japan. Specifically, the study aims to examine whether the inner-argumentative analysis will…

In this study, computer conferencing was applied in the field of university-level social studies and education to examine: (1) the extent to which it is possible to promote students' argumentation skills through computer conferencing; and (2) whether a tutor-led seminar mode or a student-led discussion mode is a more appropriate way to practice…

This paper discusses what is perhaps the most overlooked, understated, under-rated aspect of the contemporary elementary school syllabus--the virtually forgotten 4th "R," recitation. The paper's overview points out that this component of the integrated language arts curriculum is typically deemed to be substantially subordinate when…

This unit is one of a series that represents specific moments in history from which students focus on the meanings of landmark events. By studying primary sources of a crucial turning point in history, students become aware that choices had to be made by real human beings, that those decisions were the result of specific factors, and that they set…

This paper first outlines the objectives of programs which focus on conflict management and violence prevention. The paper then describes the application of a model of aggressive communication as a potential component in conflict management and violence prevention programs. The model presented in the paper incorporates training in argument and…

This paper describes a writing program designed for graduate students at the Smith College School for Social Work, and also a research project undertaken to identify and analyze the distinctive writing needs of this graduate school population. A major finding was that, although faculty understand the importance of argument and identify it as the…

While few business people dispute the importance of carefully crafting persuasive, demanding, conciliatory, and bad-news letters, the regular flow of routine communications receives very little meaningful consideration or scrutiny. These routine communications (letters, inquiries, requests, collection letters, complaints, confirmations,…

An assignment that has proven successful in teaching "Communication Theories" (a senior-level capstone course at Northern Kentucky University) is "The Application Folder." The goal of the assignment is for students to apply concepts from the course in their everyday life. Students monitor and analyze what they watch, read, and…

A study examined the writing performance of American schoolchildren based on a survey conducted in 1992 by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Nationally representative samples of fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-grade students attending public and private schools--approximately 30,000 in all--responded to a variety of writing…

Social interaction and influence have been the subject of considerable research. Examining in great detail the factors involved in social influence has enabled social psychologists to understand better the effects of persuasion, propaganda, coercion, indoctrination, and brainwashing. Out of this research has come a widespread acceptance of the…

As administrators work through contextual persuasion to affect people, activities coordination hinges to some extent on the quality of a leader's argumentation skills. Policy administration is a process of arguing explanations. Six categories vital for administrators to cover to deter critics while putting forward policy are: relevant information,…

An examination of student papers from three universities on the same tasks revealed that expository writing tasks were less demanding cognitively than argumentative writing tasks and that argumentative writing tasks were less demanding than speculative tasks. Another finding was that when students were able to translate a generalized task into…