This book is designed to help teachers and students of speech, language, English, rhetoric, public address, and speech communication understand the nature of discourse and analyze communicative behavior. Chapters deal with (1) the philosophical bases for the relationships between the speech act and the rhetorical act, (2) the basic concepts of the…

Offers theoretical distinctions among the terms sacred, myth, ideology, and political myth. Analyzes representative speeches and debates on imperialism in the United States and Great Britain and contends that the distinction between the two rhetorical typologies concurrently existing in each nation account for the dominance of imperialist rhetoric…

Literary criticism must recognize its origins in common with rhetoric. Only through this recognition can (both) grow to show in a more full measure how literature functions to instruct, delight, express, and move. (Author)

The rich tradition of drama as instrument, the many eloquent defenses of drama as teacher, and the structural potentialities of thought-controlled drama argue convincingly that didactic drama can be both useful and fascinating. (Author)

Discusses the evolution of Burke's conception of form and explains how he combines form, substance, idea, and audience appeal into a single critical principle. Argues that his theory is important because it provides a rationale for combining language, idea, and appeal. (JMF)

Argues that Machiavelli's inherent interest in pragmatic, "virtuous" applications of humanistic arts mandated both rhetorical form and matter in his composition of the "Art of War." Proposes that the work reveals Machiavelli's debt to the classically humane ideal of the warrior-orator. (JMF)

Describes a method of teaching composition that focuses on rhetorical strategies in fiction, poetry, drama, and the essay, and by considering how these strategies are used effectively to achieve particular effects. (TO)

This article explains the nature of vision-guided educational practice, makes the case for it, and appraises objections to this approach to education. The discussion is grounded in a critique of the rhetoric and practice associated with American education, a critique that emphasizes the continuing failure to think about educational challenges and…

Examines the relationship between rhetorical theory and rhetorical criticism, and discusses the current evolution of rhetorical criticism and the theoretical suppositions accounting for this evolution. (MH)

Critical discourse is best understood when its logical features are identified. An examination of the basic elements and modes of rhetorical criticism (a form of critical discourse) produces a finite set of options for the critic, thus enabling him to develop a system of alternatives in his critical efforts. For example, by selecting from among…

Contends that is sometimes rhetorical genres and not rhetorical situations that are decisively formative, and cites the papal encyclical, early state of the union addresses and their replies as supporting evidence. (MH)

Speculates on the relationship between the execution of history in practice and the conceptualization of history in theory by examining the rhetorical elements in the resignation episode of the Duke of Wellington. (MH)

Investigates the interrelation of the histories of rhetoric and literary studies by examining in detail the writings of Victorian sage Walter Pater. (SR)