Suggests that text and information design are rooted in the visual aesthetics of modernism as articulated by the Bauhaus. Explores four key ideas affecting visual design: unity of text and form; emphasis on economy and simplicity; search for a universal, objective style; and faith in individual and collective intuition. (KEH)

Describes the emotion of nostalgia and the strategies and functions of nostalgic rhetorical appeals in order to analyze Edward Kennedy's major policy address during the 1980 Democratic national convention. Suggests that Kennedy used nostalgic appeals to serve therapeutic and deliberative functions. (KEH)

Reviews the impact of technological advances on the media with which children interact and how they interact with these changes. Discusses newer and older communication media and orientations to the study of children. Suggests there is also considerable continuity despite the media changes. (KEH)

Examines the steady extension of the issue purview in the corporate world from micro (company specific) to macro issues. Discusses the Allstate Insurance Company's Forum on Public Issues, established in 1987, which has involved governmental and corporate leaders in dealing with two major issues: AIDS and public education. (KEH)

Refutes David Tukey's argument that the consensus theory of epistemic rhetoric reduces spiritual experience to a social construct which denies the possibility of a divine reality. Examines Walter Rauschenbusch's "A Theology for the Social Gospel" to prove that consensus theory accounts for religious beliefs, providing a useful framework…

Argues that negative assumptions about demagogues have precluded an adequate understanding of demagogic discourse and its functionality and appropriateness in certain rhetorical situations. Discusses the social movement perspective which employs a "social construction of reality" approach, and analyzes the discourse of Louis Farrakhan…

Studies the distraction potential of 45 written usage elements, traditionally considered errors, for 2 different educated reading audiences: postsecondary business communication teachers, and executive vice presidents in large firms. Finds that the usage errors least distracting to both audiences were lexical elements and the use of an adverbial…

Examines the functional equivalence of the constructionist and selectionist data collection methods for compliance-gaining research in the classroom by asking both experienced and prospective teachers to construct compliance-gaining messages. Reports that, when compared with data from the selectionist procedure, the construction approach is just…

Reports a three-year study of middle-school and high-school students, showing that girls are less interested in computers and less confident in their computer skills even when they have as much experience with the technology as boys. (SR)

Surveys over 700 Iowa farmers regarding their use of teletext and videotex technologies. Finds that for younger, higher-income farmers, these technologies are emerging as a "best source" for relatively perishable or highly volatile information like market prices; otherwise, these technologies complement rather than replace existing…

Describes SeniorNet (an on-line communications network for older adults) and its evolution from a small on-line network to an expanding electronic community. Discusses why older adults connect with SeniorNet, reports network features they use while on-line, and outlines benefits and challenges of bringing telecommunications to older adults. (SR)

Argues that presidential leaks constitute rhetorical acts, enabling administrations to exercise a variety of rhetorically potent options not afforded by the public forum. Proposes a typology of presidential leaks and analyzes their rhetorical functions, benefits, and liabilities. (MM)

Examines relationships of bibliometric techniques to communication theory and research by focusing on the intersection of four fields concerned with the sociology of science. Examines their treatment of the concept of "invisible college." Proposes a formal definition for the concept and suggests issues for future theory building in…

Describes the development of the University of Washington's Center for Instructional Development and Research, highlighting the interface between communication and instruction. Provides examples of the application of communication concepts that influence daily operations, permeate instructional development activity, and provide a foundation for…

Investigates interspousal violence using a model of interpersonal violence derived from the aggression literature. Finds that destructive forms of communication such as verbal aggressiveness lead to physical violence, whereas constructive forms such as argumentativeness reduce the chance of escalation to physical aggression. (SR)