Argues that the interaction among the various sub-discourses that collectively constitute English as a discipline can keep alive a vision of English teachers not simply as critics, composition people, or even poets, but as men and women of letters. (RAE)

Examines "nukespeak," the use of metaphor, euphemism, technical jargon, and acronyms to portray nuclear concepts in a neutral or positive way. Identifies two nukespeak strategies: domestication and bureaucratization. Uses two cases of nukespeak strategy by Ronald Reagan to illustrate the implications of nukespeak for the audience. (MM)

Uses Kenneth Burke's theory of perfection to explore the vocabularies of nuclear weapons in United States public discourse and how "the Bomb" as a God term has gained imbalanced ascendancy in centers of power. (MS)

Analyzes the public rhetoric of the influential "Law and Economics" movement. Explores the affinity between rhetoric and judicial argument in the work of Judge Richard A. Posner. Shows how Posner's antirhetorical posture is itself a rhetoric inviting audiences to adopt particular views of society and law. (HB)

Conceptualizes how a study of vernacular discourse could be carried out by defining vernacular, describing the critique of vernacular discourse, and explaining the purpose of such criticism. Illustrates this approach through a brief study of one example of vernacular discourse: World War II representations of women in the "Pacific…

Examines 39 speeches from the Democratic and Republican national conventions (1972-1992) for discussion of women's issues, women's roles, and men's roles. Concludes that when politicians spoke of women's concerns, they largely ignored actual issues, and instead focused their attention on women's roles in society. (SR)

Analyzes John Corigliano's "Symphony No. 1" to explicate its communicative value for the AIDS crisis. Contends that music without lyrics can serve as an argument by functioning as a form of enthymeme. Discusses enthymeme's relevance to music, identifies the premises established in Corigliano's work and analyzes how they are developed in…

Explores some implications of the redefinition of ethnography as discursive practice, of ethnography as "writing the other." Asserts that a central problem in discourse theory is the relationship between discourse and nondiscursive "reality." Argues ethnography is discursive rather than empiricist. Asserts that conflictual social theories produce…

States that Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address is a recognized rhetorical masterpiece. Accounts for this recognition by examining the text microscopically. Uses the method of close textual analysis that explores the inner workings of the text to discover the complexity of Lincoln's masterwork. (PRA)

Argues that, by identifying physicist Erwin Schrodinger's book "What is Life?" as inspirational community-forming discourse, it is possible to recognize the rhetorical artistry of his negotiation between two audiences. Notes that the book builds common ground, applies productive ambiguity at a key point of collision, and skillfully…

Explores, through rhetorical criticism, the prismatic character of the Gettysburg Address. Gives attention to the form and constituents of Lincoln's speech and to available topoi that were omitted from it. (SR)

Argues that persuasive qualities in the Plan of Delano (a powerful persuasive document in the interrelated Chicano and farm worker's movements of the 1960s and 1970s) are illuminated best from the perspective of its own ethnic legacy. Demonstrates that the Plan's Mexican-originated generic form and Mexican-American cultural context reveal sources…

Relates the author's own experience of reading "Morning Girl," by Michael Dorris, as an example of practicing literary criticism. Provides an in-depth analysis of "Morning Girl" and how it could be interpreted and discussed through Langer's model of envisionment building. Illuminates Langer's theory so that it may be applied to…

In this paper the author argues for the use of Deleuzian theories in educational contexts. In particular, she is interested in the use of the concept of rhizomes, and the analysis of texts as rhizomes, drawing on Deleuze and Guattari's work in "A Thousand Plateaus" (1987). She discusses the possibilities for using rhizomatics in educational…

This article links colonial/neocolonial and feminist literature with discourses on international students to examine how a discourse of imperialism constructs and represents international students in U.S. universities. Applying a critical discourse analysis to 78 articles published in the "Chronicle of Higher Education" between 1996 and 1999, the…