States that many critics concerned with genre theory deny that the genres of horror and science fiction are flexible and adaptable. Discusses a group of recent American horror films that present a distinct variation of the horror film, including "Fatal Attraction,""Single White Female," and "After Hours." Concludes…

Argues that the European Union's expectations in building an information society are exaggerated. Summarizes the information and telecommunications policy of the European Union (EU), discusses the EU's understanding of the term "information society," and raises questions about specific EU activities to establish an information society.…

Criticism of "A Nation at Risk," a report on the deteriorating state of American education published by the National Commission on Excellence in Education 20 years ago. Report stimulated state and federal educational reform efforts in the 1980s and 1990s. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)

Analyzes the verse of the French poets Stephane Mallarme and Guillaume Apollinaire, contrasting their purposes in suppressing normal punctuation in their work. (MM)

Looks beyond the abstract realm of shared beliefs in order to strengthen epideictic's relation to the social sphere. Argues that epideictic oratory in classical Greece is a worthy object of study and provides an opportunity for inquiring into the relation between epideictic oratory and society. Argues that epideictic oratory gives artistic…

Examines the rhetoric of "The Big Book," the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), using fantasy theme analysis. Suggests that the rhetorical vision of AA may be described as Alcoholism as Treatable Illness of Body, Mind, and Soul; a variation of Bormann's rhetorical form "Fetching Good out of Evil." (SR)

Describes "impersonal narration," an approach that defends the concept of the cinematic narrator as a logical and pragmatic necessity. Compares this approach with existing theories of the cinematic narrator, addressing disagreements in the field of film narrative theory. (MM)

Explores the representation of toys in children's literature, focusing on the main characters in Russell Hoban's "The Mouse and His Child." (MM)

Examines Kenneth Burke's and Friedrich Nietzsche's similar understanding of the hortatory nature of language-using, weighed against their radically differing conceptions of the negative, which allows a distinction between two genres of dramatism, and illustrates contrasting orientations toward symbolic activity in general. (SR)

Outlines Richard M. Weaver's theory of argument, noting that an important aspect of his rhetorical theory involves specific recommendations for conservatives. Assesses Weaver's rhetoric in terms of his own theory, and concludes that Weaver's rhetoric did not closely follow his advice for conservatives. (MM)

States that Bill Nichols's notion of documentary modes helps to articulate some of the troubling aspects of "Roger and Me." Suggests that "Roger and Me" is part of a new ethos, derived from poststructuralist thought and postmodernist form that flouts "negative mastery" as a form of validity. Advances the opinion that…

Discusses Susan Jarratt's book "Rereading the Sophists," interrogating her notion of a "feminist sophistic." Discusses the author's own work in terms of a "third sophistic," and calls on writings by Gayatri, Spivak, J. Derrida, and Helene Cixous. (SR)

Examines literary theory's displacing of "method" in the New Historicist criticism. Argues that Stephen Greenblatt and Lee Paterson imply that no objective historical truth is possible and as a result do not give methodology its due weight in their criticism. Questions the theory of "truth" advanced in this vein of literary…

States that humor is dependent on individual perspective, and that the subject matter of "Lolita" (1962), which concerns child abuse and molestation, is difficult to treat with humor. Argues that despite its subject, "Lolita" continues to be funny. Concludes that viewers know the subject matter is not funny, but while watching,…

Explains the purpose of book reviews and gives guidelines and criteria for reviewing, using published examples. Suggests ways to develop a critical perspective. (SK)