Richard B. Gregg

Kenneth Burke's prolegomena to the study of the rhetoric of form

Rhetorical analysts have had difficulty dealing with phenomena of form. Kenneth Burkes ideas regarding the rhetoric of form provide a productive way to begin to conceptualize and analyze the rhetoric of form. Burke traces human forming from the most fundamental level of tacit symbolic “fixing” through more sophisticated kinds of systemic “knowing” to the manipulating of technical forms for the purpose of evoking response. Certain critical operations to account for the rhetoric of form are appropriate in view of Burkes conceptualization.

A phenomenologically oriented approach to rhetorical criticism

This paper provides an introduction to rhetorical criticism‐ based upon the phenomenological interest in cognitive structuring. The concept of mental imagery is discussed in relation to communication, examples of such imagery are provided, and certain implications for criticism are suggested.

Richard Nixon's April 30, 1970 address on Cambodia: The “ceremony” of confrontation

This essay examines President Nixons April 30, 1970 address announcing the American incursion into Cambodia. Examining the perceptual patterns of the speech, the authors found that Nixons remarks led to a climax which justified the war on ritualistic rather than Cold War premises. The last third of the speech was content analyzed. The resulting term clusters were then interpreted for their symbolic significance. The authors found the Presidents remarks in conformity with the potlatch ceremony of the Kwakiutl Indians. The essay concludes by relating the perceptual patterns and analogical matrix of the potlatch to trends which may be developing on the international scene, and calls for the rhetorical critic to become aware of ritualistic elements in public communication.

The rhetoric of political newscasting

Television has become the major source of news for most Americans. Therefore, it seems important to consider televisions rhetorical potential to influence the publics understanding of political affairs. The purpose of this essay is to explore some of the ways television news reporting, documentaries and docu‐dramas may lead us to know and judge political events, political leadership and political institutions.

Rhetoric and Knowing: The Search for Perspective.

Attempts to describe the possible relationship of rhetoric to knowing inevitably lead to conceptual distinctions. This essay argues that distinctions which relegate rhetoric to social, or explicit, or contingent knowledge incorrectly restrict our view of the rhetoric‐epistemic relationship. An alternative perspective which avoids such distinctions is suggested.

Rhetorical strategies for a culture war: Abortion in the 1992 campaign

Data from the American National Election Study reveals that the issue of abortion was the most significant policy issue in the 1992 presidential campaign. This essay examines the general strategies of Clinton and Bush regarding the abortion issue among the complex of family values appeals. A special analytical focus highlights the image of a dead fetus that was shown in campaign advertising in a variety of states, and that was the “hot button”; for true believers among the right‐to‐life forces. The impact of abortion on the vote for the presidential candidates is presented with data that allows a speculative projection of the influence of the abortion issue on future national election campaigns.

Communication epistemology: A study in the “language” of cognition

COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE: AN INVESTIGATION IN RHETORICAL KNOWLEDGE. By Richard A. Cherwitz and James Hikins. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1986. pp. xi + 192.

Symbolic inducement and knowing : a study in the foundations of rhetoric

17.95.