This paper focuses on one of the central concepts of Mikhail Bakhtin's philosophy of language: his theory of the utterance as speech genre. Before exploring speech genres, the paper discusses Bakhtin's ideas concerning language--both language as a general system, and the use of language as particular speech communication. The paper considers…

Enlightens the origins of argumentation theory through a description of the evolution of the concept and practice of philosophically oriented discussion. Describes how Plato adapted the sophistic concept of "dialegesthai" and how that adaptation is tied to his bifurcation of rhetoric and philosophy. (RS)

Contributes to scholarship on rhetorical theory by examining the rhetorical aspects of spontaneous shrines that develop on the sites of public tragedies. Compares two contemporary shrines to private mourning rituals of the last century, revealing a common cultural metanarrative that promises continuity and certainty in a time of chaos. (SR)

Notes that much had changed in the Roman's social order at the end of the Republic. Claims both Vitruvius and Cicero used writing to persuade Roman citizens to reclaim their heritage: of building arts in Vitruvius' case; and of philosophy and meaningful public oratory in Cicero's case. (NH)

Traces the evolution of the enduring rhetorical genre of apologia from the Greek period to the present. Argues that apologia has undergone significant changes in form because its function has changed throughout history, producing five "subgenres." Examines implications for the continued feasibility of apologia, as well as the critical…

Reads Ernest Wrage's landmark essay "Public Address: A Study in Social and Intellectual History" at the conjuncture of two contemporary problematics: the tension in rhetorical scholarship between "textual criticism" and "critical rhetoric"; and the intersection of rhetorical analysis and contemporary cultural studies.…

The central concepts from two rhetorical systems (the enthymeme in Aristotle's rhetoric and vivacity in George Campbell's) may be understood as the connection between speech act and ascension to belief. A review of the literature indicates a gap in the scholarly works seeking to compare and contrast the periods developed by D. Ehninger's systems…

Explores the possibility of grounding an ethic of rhetoric in virtues suggested by the practice of rhetoric itself, to be discovered by examining the goods inherent to rhetoric, as well as the sources of cooperation and the standards of excellence implied by that practice. Considers a virtues-oriented pedagogy of communication. (SR)

Argues that meaning in a rhetorical work results from an interaction between discursive form and representational content linguists call "iconicity." Illustrates this approach through close analysis of passages selected from Edmund Burke's "Speech to the Electors of Bristol." Considers applications in broader contexts. (KEH)

Claims the American Forensic Association's (AFA) publications and conferences represent its principal commitment to research. Presents a review of the journals and conferences under AFA sponsorship. Reviews the strong commitment to research on the part of the AFA, particularly as it is manifested in the association's journal and in conferences.…

Traces the term "logos" from the ninth to the fourth century B.C. to distinguish between its general meaning and its technical definition within classical rhetoric. Shows that Aristotle's "pistis" of "logos" refers, not to an appeal to logic, but to the argument or speech itself, which reinstates all three proofs of…

Contributes to both feminist scholarship and Chinese Studies by coming to grips with the deep, culturally embedded, and politically significant meaning of the names given to Chinese women. Uses the analysis of two names to advance theory that will link and enrich rhetorical, feminist, and intercultural studies and break through the limits of…

Despite literally tens of thousands of rounds of debate competition over a number of years, little insight into argumentation theory has resulted. Debate as practiced by college debating teams has become a laboratory for perfecting itself. Permitting the divergence of debate from argumentation forfeits an ideal opportunity to study argumentation.…

Argues that identifying Gorgias's "Helen" as an epideictic speech is misleading; the speech is not veiled defense of the "Art of Rhetoric"; Gorgias may have inaugurated the prose genre of encomia; and "Helen"'s most significant theoretical contribution is to offer a secular account of the workings of the logos that…

Uses the oral tradition of "rendering" to discuss writing instruction, composition theory, the community property of writing, and writing professionals. (PRA)