Finds 12 to 15 reader interest clusters across newspaper markets. (FL)

Concludes that supermarket tabloid readers are not one homogeneous group with one set of needs and wants from newspapers. (FL)

Reports that changing the cutlines of 22 controversial photographs significantly affected the response of readers for only four of the pictures. (FL)

Discusses the evolution of Burke's conception of form and explains how he combines form, substance, idea, and audience appeal into a single critical principle. Argues that his theory is important because it provides a rationale for combining language, idea, and appeal. (JMF)

Examines the traditional informal fallacy of "argumentum ad populum," standardly characterized as the fallacy committed by directing an emotional appeal to the feelings or enthusiasms of "the people" to win assent to an argument not adequately supported by proper evidence. (PD)

Discusses how television has usurped its viewers' imaginative abilities by means of the very literal images it presents. (HTH)

Advocates venturing deeper into rhetorical situation since covering it in a superficial way may pose more problems than ignoring it altogether. Offers examples of the kinds of problems students encounter with audience and purpose. Suggests grappling with these complexities rather than discounting them. (PA)

Lists nine assertions pertaining to the field of theatre for children and youth. Spurs questions and discussion that provides useful contextualization for all of the papers presented for a symposium--papers which ranged widely over diverging ideological subjects. (SG)

States that promotional writing for industrial/high-tech products, or technical copywriting, is gaining more attention in technical communication, although it is neglected in higher education. Testifies to the significance of technical copywriting. Suggests that dialogical audience analysis and an emphasis on rational appeal will contribute to…

Tests a complex model of how audience members assess source credibility. Hypothesizes that (1) message quality has direct effects and mediates partially the effects of initial credibility assessments on subsequent source credibility assessments and on belief change; and (2) subsequent credibility assessments mediate effects of initial credibility…

Examines whether role assignments to television sets (assignments of particular content to particular screens) influence what viewers think about what they watch. Finds that designating TV sets for specialized functions or uses results in more positive evaluations of the content, even when the TV sets and programming are identical. (SR)

Presents an interview with Author/Screen Writer David Klass. Discusses his dual role as young adult author and Hollywood screenwriter. Illuminates important differences that Klass finds when working as writer of young adult books and as a screenwriter. (SG)

Defines "applied theater" as a theater work which aims to process important social issues and which takes place in non-theatrical surroundings. Follows the evolution of one particular applied theater project about Matthew Shepard and examines the issues raised for those interested in applied theater's possibilities and constraints. (PM)

Presents preliminary data about audience perceptions to colorized movies. Finds that colorized films were seen as more contemporary and were evaluated slightly more favorably. (RS)

Describes a production of Barry Kornhauser's play "This Is Not a Pipe Dream" that was intended to support increased audience engagement in the production both emotionally and aesthetically. (SR)