Presents an overview of Michel Foucault's approach to the study of historical systems of thought, arguing that Foucault's view of historical criticism and language-in-use have much to offer rhetorical theory and criticism. Discusses the nature of discourse for Foucault and examines the characteristics of the fundamental discursive datum, the…

Investigates the underlying reasons for the fundamental shift in Benjamin Franklin's portrayals of the British colonies in America. Explores the hypothesis that "Magna Britannia" was both a deliberative work directed toward the British Parliament and an apologetic work directed toward conservatives in the colonial public. Also discusses…

Describes how Carroll C. Arnold's rare combination of intelligence, skill, dedication, and compassion have made him one of the great teachers in the speech communication classroom. Praises his qualities as a scholar, teacher, professional, and human being. Describes how his works are continuing to shape the field of speech communication. (JD)

Examines the rhetorical situation of the modern freshman composition student in America, in light of nineteenth-century developments in rhetoric pedagogy and discourse classification conventions. (MS)

Raises questions about process research in writing. Points out the need to broaden the concept of what happens when people write and the need to press some questions about processes involved in coming to know generally. (EL)

Criticizes topical readers on the English language now being used in freshman composition classes both for implying that language constrains more than aids thinking and for providing poor writing samples for the student to analyze and emulate. Discusses the influence of general semantics on these readers and the reliance on the parodic perspective…

Traces the lack of rhetorical and stylistic criticism of twentieth-century English nonfiction both to a heightening of the traditionally low status accorded to nonfiction created by massive technical and scientific change and to its very recentness and claims that the lack of criticism calls into question generalizations about modern prose on…

Pointing out that the growing body of literature on the Holocaust has been accompanied by concern about how knowledge of the Holocaust may be conveyed, this paper argues that elucidating links between terminology and policy invites reconsideration of what Holocaust studies should accomplish. Close textual analysis of historical artifacts is used…

Business letter-writers are advised to develop reader empathy and benefit before they ask a favor. The author analyzed two model 16th century letters of request to determine if similar advice was given in the past, and found that the request was subordinate to building a mutually beneficial relationship. (PD)

Argues that studies on how and why humans talk, however precise the methodology, do not have the quality of science. Contends that these studies contain the essence of criticism and should be regarded as such. (PD)

Examines Gonzales' extensive rhetoric in his campaign to improve the life of Chicanos. Gonzales' rhetorical vision focused on the need for Chicanos to know and take pride in their heritage. Some of his harshest criticisms deal with the education of his people. (PD)

Discusses how the impact of various rhetorical moves in a trial is determined by the relationships they establish between evidence and underlying story structure. Demonstrates that the underlying rhetorical structure of a trial is a finely tuned communication system for the systematic organization and processing of large bodies of information.…

Criticizes empirical research on the use of evidence in argument for producing ambiguous and contradictory findings. Notes specifically the failure to provide precise conceptualizations and operationalizations for the evidence construct. Cites definitional problems and methodological considerations which contribute to the inadequacy of past…

Analyzes a case where a group of local steelworkers in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, in conjunction with a small group of Protestant ministers, sought to gain public support for the redress of grievances, and how their subordination by the United Steel Workers' union and the Lutheran Church influenced their rhetorical activities. (SR)

Focuses on the 1992 film "City of Joy" to examine the rhetorical strategies through which "whiteness" is enacted in popular culture. Argues that an understanding of the politics through which non-white groups are culturally marginalized simultaneously requires an examination of the politics through which whites are centered and…