Examines persuasive text, first describing it and discussing it with reference to relevant philosophy and rhetoric, and then asking whether it is successful: do written texts change the minds of their readers? Notes that research on designing text to disabuse students of scientific misconceptions points to text features that authors could use to…

The effects of a rapid change in media environment are examined through the introduction of a multichannel cable television system in Israel. Findings highlight changes on the behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions. Changes occurred in reallocation of leisure time, social characteristics of viewing, viewing patterns, and content…

A study of 36 males and 36 females ages 15-52 found that males performed better than females on a computer-based tracking task under different audience conditions. A significant gender and audience interaction was found, with females performing better in the presence of a female than alone or with a male. Implications for educational policy and…

Explains certain writing projects oriented toward real life situations (in this case a proposal to establish a museum display) can help college students bridge the perceived gap between academic writing and the kind of writing that will be asked of them in the professional world. Suggests that students' attitudes and writing improved as a result…

Discusses how presenters must act as guides to their audiences. As an example, the paper describes a trip through the Serengeti in which the guide was powerful and effective in teaching his audience. Notes goals that all presenters must strive for (activities, engagement, content, dispositions, capacities, and ideals). (SM)

Discusses theories of aggression and questions commonly held assumptions regarding the link between violence and anger. Examines the link between strategies drama educators use and those utilized by counselors and psychologists. Considers whether the potential of drama-based programs might lie in the impact of shared engagement in the dramatic…

Contends that theatre has the power to induce oppressors to change their attitudes permanently towards the groups they oppress. Describes theatrical performances by women in Mundemba Sub-Division, Cameroon, which created lasting changes in men's attitudes. Concludes that theatre calls for sociocultural and economic changes and it has the power to…

Contends that the value of writing as a powerful tool for teaching reading is often underestimated. Explains that when students write and revise their writing, they are reading to make sure what they have written is clearly understood by themselves and their audience. Notes that for many students, reading what someone else thinks stimulates their…

Explains that the maestro concept is an approach to integrating writing, editing, and visual communication. Notes that the goal of the maestro concept is to find agreement on the best way to package a story, photos, art, and graphics for the reader. Concludes that the maestro team helps beginning journalism students become better verbal and visual…

The failure of school library research to reach a wider audience is not simply a matter of dissemination. Research should be conducted on all grade levels and not predominantly secondary schools; relevant to the sponsor; cumulative and built on issues of theory, methodology, and substance developed in earlier work; and interdisciplinary. (PEN)

Finds that authoritarianism was associated with greater enjoyment by undergraduate students of reality-based crime videos and more negative evaluations of the criminal suspects, but only if the criminal suspects were African American rather than Caucasian. Shows that authoritarianism was also associated with more favorable evaluations of police…

Presents a framework--grounded in the classic rhetorical concept of "ethos"--for technical communicators to examine the unique characteristics of the World Wide Web and the audiences it serves. Suggests that technical and marketing communicators can use the idea of online "ethos" to evaluate existing Web sites and design new…

Develops a neuropsychological model of political information processing based on the independence and interdependence of emotion and cognition. Discusses studies and presents findings suggesting that primitive emotional responses may be activated, even without the audience's awareness, and attributed to a political source, even though no conscious…

Describes a two-part segmentation technique applied to an instruction program for an academic library during a strategic planning process. Discusses a brainstorming technique used to create a list of existing and potential audiences, and then describes a follow-up review session that evaluated the past years' efforts. (Author/LRW)

Considers how when two-year college students take time to write at length, paying more attention to their own feelings and those of their readers through regular response and revision, they write better. Presents four assignments that all students would attempt, then share with classmates, and with partners at the other grade level via a Web site.…