Contends that rhetoric of apologia constitutes a discrete genre and suggests that the needs that motivate apologetic speaking are inner-directed, social or personal and tend to shape the speech itself. (MH)

Analyzes the interaction between nuclear freeze activists and proponents of a Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Argues that SDI strengthens Reagan's rhetorical position concerning nuclear weapons policy because it reduces the argumentative ground of the freeze movement by envisioning a defensive weapons system that would nullify nuclear weapons.…

Maintains that John Quincy Adams'"Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory" and Adams Sherman Hill's "Principles of Rhetoric" reveal significant differences in what their authors perceive to be the most salient environmental conditions facing their students. (JK)

Outlines the rudiments of writing a persuasive speech on education, including keeping language conversational, avoiding jargon, using handouts, using audiovisual aids when appropriate, and keeping the speech short. Eleven additional techniques to perk up speeches are also discussed. An inset annotates four volumes of anecdotes for further…

Focuses on the relationship between debate training and critical thinking ability, and examines whether Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA) debaters, National Debate Tournament (NDT) debaters, and nondebaters differ significantly on the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. Indicates no significant difference between NDT debaters and…

Explores the procedure of dropping the low rank/low rating that is used at some national forensic tournaments and finds that a significantly altered pool of contestants for elimination rounds is not produced. (MM)

Assesses whether a contestant's seed in an elimination round is a good indicator of the contestant's finish in that particular round, and finds limited support for concluding that seeding is a good indicator of final placement. (MM)

Analyzes speeches in which Reagan challenges the following convention: science will continue to create technologically advanced weapons against which no effective defense will be developed, making deterrence through an assured retaliatory capability the only possible defense. Textual analysis reveals how public discourse can achieve unities of…

Views Reagan's "Star Wars" address as part of the culturally evolving myth of the New Frontier. Discusses how the speech creates the illusion of both preserving and transcending science by (1) subordinating technical reasoning to prevent nuclear holocaust and (2) using technoscience to rescript history and remove temporal and spacial…

Suggestions are offered for gifted students making verbal presentations. Guidelines address such aspects as the introduction; beginning of the presentation; timing; use of breaks; eye contact; simulations, role playing and games; communication; relevance; enthusiasm; humor; audio-visuals; and the ending. (CL)

Includes two reviews of computer software that may serve the speech communication professional: Fast Graphs and PC-File III. (PD)

Reviews tips on speech delivery for board members. Includes an outline for setting up a file for anecdotes and quotations. (MD)

Presents a model to aid in effective presentations by counselors, teachers, supervisors and seminar leaders. The three stages of the model involve presenting, personalizing, and enabling participant interaction with the material. (Author/JAC)

As employers increase the use of teams and telecommuting in the workplace, the need for improved communication also accelerates both in written and oral modes. For oral communication or public speaking, a review of recent literature indicates this renewed emphasis, with numerous articles highlighting the need coming from disciplines ranging from…