4th Edition
Modern Rhetorical Criticism
A comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the analysis of public rhetoric, Modern Rhetorical Criticism teaches readers how to examine and interpret rhetorical situations, ideas, arguments, structure, and style. The text covers a wide range of critical techniques, from cultural and dramatistic analysis to feminist and Marxist approaches. A wealth of original criticism demonstrates how to analyze such diverse forms as junk mail, campaign speeches, and popular entertainment, as well as literature. This long-awaited revision offers specific guidance on crafting analytic essays, and contains new coverage of legacy as well as new media, identity criticism, and post-colonial and decolonial criticism. The fourth edition also offers additional resources online for instructors and students.
Preface
Unit I
INTRODUCTION TO CRITICISM
Chapter 1: THE RHETORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Arts of Rhetoric
The Range of Rhetoric
The Functions of Rhetoric
Conclusion
Chapter 2: THE CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Purposes of Criticism
Qualities of the Ideal Critic
The Reasons for Criticism
The Standards of Criticism
Conclusion
Unit II
GENERAL FORMS OF CRITICISM
Chapter 3: ANALYZING SITUATIONS
The Meanings of Speech-Acts
The Functions of Speech-Acts
The Components of Speech-Acts
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 4: ANALYZING IDEAS
The Study of Ideas
Guidelines for Creating an Analysis
A Topical Approach to Ideas
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 5: ANALYZING ARGUMENT
The Logic of Persuasion
Evidence and Reasoning
Narrative and Reasoning
Toulmin and Reasoning
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 6: ANALYZING FORM
Structure and Form in Rhetoric
Generic Studies of Form
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 7: ANALYZING SYNTAX AND IMAGERY
Examining Syntax
Examining Imagery
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 8: ANALYZING WORD CHOICE
Examining Group Lexicons
Examining Individual Lexicons
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 9: ANALYZING MEDIA
Rhetoric and Mass Media
The Rhetoric of News
The Enduring Influence of Television
The Multiplying Influences of Digital Rhetoric
Exploring Visual Symbols
The Rhetoric of Entertainment
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Unit III
SPECIALIZED FORMS OF CRITICISM
Chapter 10: Analyzing Persona and Role
The Emergence of Role
The Management of Role
The Assessment of Role in Rhetor-Centered Discourse
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 11: CULTURAL CRITICISM
Values: The Beginnings of Culture
Myths: The Substance of Culture
Fantasy Themes: The Grassroots of Culture
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 12: DRAMATISTIC CRITICISM
The Principles of Dramatism
The Methods of Dramatism
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 13: IDENTITY CRITICISM
Principles of Identity Criticism
Practicing Identity Criticism
Policy Critique
Representational Critique
Performative Critique
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Chapter 14: IDEOLOGICAL CRITICISM
Deconstructionist Critique
Marxist Critique
Postcolonial Critique
Conclusion
Additional Reading
Biography
Roderick P. Hart holds the Shivers Chair in Communication and is Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. Former dean of the Moody College of Communication and founding director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, Hart is the author or editor of fifteen books, the most recent of which is Political Tone: What Leaders Say and Why (2013).
Suzanne Daughton has taught Rhetorical Criticism for nearly three decades at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She has published in such places as the Quarterly Journal of Speech, Critical Studies in Mass Communication, Text and Performance Quarterly, and Women’s Studies in Communication.
Rebecca LaVally is a professor of Rhetorical Criticism and Persuasion at California State University, Sacramento. She is a coauthor of Game Changers: Twelve Elections That Transformed California and winner of the 2014 California Historical Society Book Award.
Modern Rhetorical Criticism takes a fresh approach to the time-honored study of rhetorical criticism, merging the study of rhetorical tradition and change. The 4th edition provides breadth and concision, covering critical perspectives from the wide-angle (focus on culture) to the microscopic (focus on words) in an engaging and accessible style.
-Shawn J. Parry-Giles, University of Maryland, USA
