This article argues that the teaching of public writing should not neglect issues of circulation and local need. In a series of case studies involving small press papers and homeless advocacy, the authors seek to extend recent work begun by Susan Wells, John Trimbur, and Nancy Welch, which raises crucial questions about public rhetoric in the…

Discusses the impact of writing on culture, especially the psychosocial consequences of literacy as a "technology of the intellect." Describes the role played by writing in both a slave revolt in nineteenth century Brazil and a preliterate African culture. Argues that "literacy" serves too many functions to be used as an…