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Discusses President Reagan's televised address following the space shuttle tragedy and the unique rhetorical demands of the situation. Examines how generic constraints that establish commonalities among all eulogies are interwoven with the responses to the specific needs of a nation in crisis. (NKA)

Argues that Lincoln modeled certain major speeches on a chiasmus, and that this stylistic device governs the integration of form and function in Lincoln's presidential rhetoric. Argues that the chiasmus reveals that Lincoln saw himself as called by God to fulfill a special messianic mission. (MS)

Examines arguments used in three United Nations Security Council debates which contradict the conclusion that different nations use different argumentative forms and think differently. Finds that the nature of data and the relative emphasis on principle as a negotiating strategy were more characteristic factors. (MS)

Examines the interpersonal relationship between Robert Michel, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and William F. Gavin, his speechwriter, and how that relationship structures and defines the speechwriting process. (RS)

Considers President Reagan's address to the nation on February 5, 1981, concerning the state of the economy, as a contemporary secular version of the jeremiad, a rhetorical form that has persisted in America since colonial times. Describes Reagan's skillful use of the genre to motivate public response to what he viewed as an economic crisis. (NKA)

Analyzes Jimmy Carter's success in the 1976 presidential primaries in terms of his rhetorical style based on Max Weber's concept of charisma and Ernest Bormann's theory of fantasy and rhetorical vision. The combination of Carter's charismatic message and the country's social fantasies produced his election. (JMF)

Compares 15 campaign speeches on methods of presentation. Results indicate that the dual responsibilities of appearing to speak out decisively and intelligently on issues, while focusing on images to which voters will respond favorably, are met by speeches with ambiguous content but rhetorical correlates of specificity and decisiveness. (JMF)

Investigates the effects of the rhetorical use of deliberate vagueness on the audience's recall and agreement. Results indicate that recall was significantly worse when disagreeable issues were vaguely stated instead of clearly stated, and that vague messages produced more agreement than clearly stated messages. (PD)

Points out that textual authenticity of speeches has been a constant concern of speech communication scholars. Examines the procedure, personnel, and philosophy employed to record the proceedings and debate in today's British House of Commons. Concludes with a comparison of "Hansard's Official Report" and the "Congressional Record." (PD)

Surveys possibilities for future scholarship in public address. Notes that the communication historian in an age of information must take into account (1) the mass and diversity of public communication events and (2) the dominant intellectual version of information in speech communication. (PD)

An American observer's report on contemporary House of Commons debating and debaters. Discusses (1) traditional influences that come from the adversarial nature of parliamentary debate and its implications for communication style; and (2) contemporary influences, including education, that come from the changing characteristics of members of Parliament. (PD)

Discusses the nature and purpose of rhetorical criticism within academic, political, and historical contexts. Traces some of the ideological forces underlying twentieth century criticism. Considers the works of Herbert Wichelns, Kenneth Burke, Forbes Hill, Lawrence Rosenfield, and Martin Heidegger. (PD)

The article examines the senses of rhetoric as a topical system for critics. The author notes that discussions of the relations between rhetorical criticism and the arts have assumed the tone of declarations of faith or sometimes of declarations of war. The author believes that purist rhetorical and poetic critics usually employ a metaphor of substance, natural act, or contract in denying a rhetorical critic access to a poetic text.

The article focuses on a study which determined the status of speech communication in Michigan secondary schools. Basic Speech Communication Courses in Michigan secondary schools are usually offered each semester as an elective course for ninth through twelfth graders or tenth through twelfth graders. The course tackles a combination of public speaking, interpersonal communication and various activities.

The article discusses a study on the impact of public speaking and interpersonal communication courses, behavior type, and behavioral discrepancy on behavioral changes. It explores how the study was conducted which involved 95 students in the basic speech courses at the University of Florida. The results reportedly revealed that future behavioral objectives in interpersonal or public speaking course must assume that objectives do not affect all students in the same way.

The article explores the oration which embodies the "rhetoric of Union" label. From the founding of the U.S. in 1776 up to its violent fracture in 1861, an idea of Union was reportedly developed that has uniquely American nature in which the public platform was the instrument in its development and propagation. It is noted that as the concept of Union moved from a contractual relationship to an organic policy, public speaking heralded the change through the inculcation of absolute ideology.

The article focuses on the concept that the spoken word is central to human communication. The spoken word is presented to offer a special interpersonal and dialogic quality. Self-concept, role realization and social bonds are cited to reflect the impact of the spoken word in linking the individual with the environment. Speaking is suggested to unify, simplify and integrate life.

The article focuses on the research designs used to assess the effects of public speeches. An overview of the before-after with control group research design for testing the effects of public speeches is provided. The effects of a public speech on information, attitude and speaker credibility were tested using separate measuring instruments. The rationale for a useful field experiment design is also discussed.

The article discusses the theatrical references used by Roman rhetorician Marcus Fabius Quintilianus to explain his theories of public speech in the "Institutio Oratoria." Quintilian points out that delivery has a powerful effect in oratory and illustrates his concepts of delivery with theatre-oriented examples. He believes that all physical action of the body and face can be considered gesture and should be guided by the idea of speech.

The article presents the historical data on Abraham Lincoln's only lecture on "Discoveries and Inventions." The paper's thesis is that the experience as a lecturer helped in his decision to speak on a political subject at Cooper Union in February 1860, one that helped in making him President. The first version of the lecture was delivered before the Young Men's Association in Bloomington, Illinois on April 9, 1958. He rewrote it for the presentation before Phi Alpha Society of Illinois College.

The article focuses on the campaign techniques in the 1964 and 1968 U.S. Presidential elections. It says that during this period, the wives of presidential candidates took their informal and formal appeals to public to represent their husbands and attempted to influence voting. It tells that the political speeches of of the wives of the candidates are not published, however, thier political campaign techniques were showed in "New York Times", magazines and politically-oriented publications.

Essays on research studies relating to speech and communication are presented. One essay dealt with the teaching and learning of English as a Second Language (ESOL) through Creative Dramatics which involve an informal drama. The results of a study at Pennsylvania State University which examined the effectiveness of filmed speech models on public speaking students are discussed.

The article examines the influence of pioneer Methodist preacher John Fawcett Nessly on the religious life of the frontier community and his homiletic principles contained in his unpublished sermons and papers. A brief profile of Nessly is provided. His persuasive personality played a role to his success as a pioneer church builder. His public speaking style is described, including his enthusiasm and pleasant voice.

The authors examine the relationship between the tradition of humanistic rhetoric in the 18th- and 19th-century public speaking in England. They observe that rhetorical critics seldom treat the philosophic tradition that binds the speakers to their audience, influences their advocacy and the acceptance of it by the audience. They outline the humanistic tradition in Great Britain and the elements of the tradition in British public address.

The article discusses the results of a study that explores the relationship of the knowledge of debate theory and school debate experience to debate effectiveness. The study noted a significant correlation ratio and linear correlation and regression of knowledge of debate theory on debate effectiveness. It concludes that it is accurate to expect that debaters who are more knowledgeable in debate theory will become effective school debaters.

The article reviews the curricular and extracurricular forensic activities of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century, with emphasis on the Academy of Belles Lettres. More attention was reportedly given to the theory of oratory than to its practice and that the practice was primarily in writing instead of speaking. In 1747, the Academy, a debating society, was founded. Members of the society were bound by ten laws, including decency and good manners, and censures.

The article presents research reports on the Speech Semantic Differential (SSD), and creative dramatics in the development of elementary-aged children. An experiment to determine the reliability and validity of SSD ratings as compared with assigned instructor grades is described to include two public speaking classes and four instructors. A writer is cited to analyze the benefits of dramatic activities such as charades, and pantomime performed by a class of eight girls.

The article discusses Aristotle's "seats of arguments" or commonly known as topoi and how it is critically misrepresented. It discusses Aristotle's system of topics and Richard Huseman's claim that Aristotle's topoi is used in modern public speaking texts. The author emphasizes the importance of careful review and analysis of rhetoric concepts before any attempt to establish moderns parallels to it.

The article presents information on contemporary speaking in the British House of Commons. Speaking in the House of Commons takes place inside Westminster Palace surrounded by monuments, statues, and paintings that reflect the tradition and history of Britain. Speaking in the House of Commons is governed by laws, rules, and customs that place restrictions upon Members of Commons and visitors. These traditions and rules ensure that Members and guests behave with decorum and restraint.

The article presents a discussion of Aristotle's special topics and cites passages in modern public speaking literature that use Aristotle's concept. Focus is given on three kinds of speeches and their topics during Aristotle's time, namely deliberative, forensic and epideictic. The deliberative speaker's topic is usually the question of expediency, a forensic speaker is concerned with justice, while the epideictic speaker focuses on topics of praise or blame.

The article presents a study which aims to develop a measure of an individual's self-esteem in the public speaking situation. Students' ideal and expected reactions to the stress situations provided by experienced speech instructors are revealed to have been used in a multiple choice test. High scores in the test is suggested to indicate a high degree of self-esteem. The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Knower Speech Attitude Scale are cited as tools used in analyzing the test.

The article focuses on the contribution of professor Andrew T. Weaver to the field of speech. It states that Weaver selected Latin as his major when he was an undergraduate at Carroll University. It recounts his interest in speech courses including public speaking, oral reading, and drama. Some plays in which he participated in are also cited which include "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Richelieu."

The article offers news briefs on speech and education in the central states as of 1961. A comprehensive speech/drama curriculum guide is being worked out in Illinois. Iowa association members for 1960 totaled 463 schools and 500 schools is being hoped for in 1962. A set of syllabi for high school speech courses in fundamentals, public speaking, dramatics and broadcasting is being worked on in Indiana.

The article discusses the three styles of preaching, their causes and cures, and the effective style of delivery. A speech's purpose is reportedly as important, if not more so, than its content and its effective realization depends on the style of delivery. The article states that soliloquizing in minor-melody, declamatory haranging and monotonous droning can respectively be resolved by being conscious of the audience, by being sincere and simple and by varying vocal modulation.

The article discusses the similarities and differences between 19th and 20th century preachers Henry Ward Beecher and Harry Emerson Fosdick, respectively. Both men reportedly used the printed word to promote their Gospel message and admitted the role played by their training in public speaking in their pulpit success. The article states that while Beecher addressed the common people and sometimes preached extemporaneously, Fosdick preached to the intelligentsia and prepared meticulously.

The article discusses how U.S. politician Adlai Stevenson delivered his second presidential campaign in 1956 and why it failed. It was mentioned that Stevenson had been charged with speaking over the heads of his listeners. In his 1952 speech strategy, Stevenson mainly addressed himself to the educated voter. He deliberately attempted to isolate himself from the administration of Harry S. Truman in 1952.

The article examines some of the premises of contest debating and suggests some elements for a possible philosophy of debate. It also examines five propositions and their consequents. It was said that an activity would be public debate if any single type of activity could describe the democratic process. Ridicule and sarcasm reportedly constitute bad debating as much as they constitute bad citizenship.