This book explores the theory and technique of faking it in America, referred to as the B.S. Factor. Chapter 1 discusses the Factor as a substitute for lies, causing a subtle skewing of sense, a distortion of logic, without ever becoming an actual lie. Chapter 2 breaks the B.S. Factor into styles or systems of thought and language such as…

Examines the rhetoric of "popular" atheists in the U.S. and argues that their rhetoric possesses distinctive features that are the natural results of existential failure. (MH)

Questions the assumption that movements are insurgent campaigns for change by offering a counter-example which demonstrates that rhetorical characteristics of movements may be replicated within the political power structure. (MH)

Focusing on rhetorical strategies employed by U. S. presidents in response to states of emergency, investigates differences between discourse (1) initially constituting the government's sole response and (2) accompanying, justifying, and rationalizing specific military moves undertaken. Analyzes five presidential messages, categorizing each as…

Formulates a middle-level theory that explains the process by which rhetroic is epistemic, using Foucault's notion of the discursive formation as a starting point. Discusses five theoretical units derived from Foucault--discursive practices, rules, roles, power, and knowledge--and relationships among them. Analyzes Disneyland, using Foucault's…

Describes Senator Albert Jerimiah Beveridge as a leader in two early twentieth-century movements: imperialism and progressivism. Indicates that Beveridge's success demonstrates the possibility that rhetors can adapt to changes in the rhetorical situation without surrendering their personal convictions. (JK)

Examines the ideas in the parochial sermons of Thomas Cradock of Baltimore County, Maryland. Argues that Cradock's pulpit rhetoric expressed what Richard Weaver, a southern scholar, has called the "roots" of southern thinking. Claims that these roots had begun to develop even earlier than Weaver traces them and from a denominational…

Discusses the character of Claudius in "Hamlet" to determine the character's sincerity. (DF)

Presents 11 of the more that 50 women whose works are known from the Elizabethan Age. (CRH)

Two different approaches to the definition of literature (criterial and prototypical) are described, and some features of a prototypical literary work are outlined. The criterial approach attempts to provide criteria that must be met by all texts to be called literature. The prototype approach focuses on a particularly good example to which other…

This paper describes an alternative art education methodology grounded in feminist emancipatory epistemology and poststructuralist theory. The paper takes a short journey through the author's research, touching on concerns about epistemology and methodology, and by looking more closely at the application of discourse analysis to the research data.…

Structural analysis of literature, and one particular analysis of discourse, are criticized as technical rather than critical in nature, depersonalized, and conformist. The objections to the specific analysis are outlined and discussed. (MSE)

Argues that the nondiscursiveness thesis introduces more breadth into argumentation than do any of the present alternative points of view. Maintains that all communication modalites are called into play by ordinary arguers and that the meanings of statements oftentimes cannot be understood unless attributions are made. (PD)

The following topics are developed: (1) the problematic aspect of the analysis of French discourse, an introduction to methods, theories and applications; (2) the proposals of M. Pecheux; (3) precisions to render operative definitions derived in the proposals; (4) the Macciocchi manner of speaking; and (5) the Peyrefitte manner of speaking. (AMH)

Analyzes a transcribed speech in which an African American community member engaged a panel of school board officials on the topic of racial stereotypes in an elementary school science experiment. Concludes that the force of public discourse may reside less in a speaker's ability to persuade an audience than in an audience's willingness to recycle…