Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons^™

Robert Frost And Maya Angelou: Poet-As-Rhetor In The Presidential Inauguration: Textual Symbols And The Symbol Of Enactment, Donna M. Witmer

Masters Theses

This criticism uses an organic approach to examine the rhetorical properties of Frost's and Angelou's inaugural poems and their individual enactments respective of the constraints and exigencies in the Presidential inaugurations of Kennedy and Clinton. Apparently responding to the constraints of television's sound bite as well as to exigencies of the traditional inauguration and the need to serve a new generation and a culturally diverse population, the Clinton Administration combined the poetic form, used to heighten an emotional response, with an enactment as a synecdochic symbol, used to assert sociopolitical ideology.

A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Persian Gulf Debates, Daniel F. Hickey

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze selected senatorial speeches for and against using military force against Iraq.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that Richard Weaver's hierarchy of argument will provide a useful framework for the identification of arguments and philosophical inclination of the speakers.

Materials

The primary documents comprising this study were the four speeches found in Vital Speeches of the Day by Senator Robert Dole (R-KS), Senator George Mitchell (D-ME), Senator John C. Danforth (R-MO), and Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). All were delivered in the Senate between January 10-12, 1991. The speakers chosen were well-respected members of …

The Relationship Between Ca And Humor, Michael Sean Mcmurtry

Masters Theses

Research has shown that communication apprehension is seen as a negative effect of speaking in public as well as in other situations. The nervous and anxious feelings experienced in these contexts take away from understanding and add to the breakdown of interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, humor is found to be an excellent coping mechanism to deal with embarrassing and fear-related anxieties and it adds to group cohesiveness. The relationship between CA and humor was of investigated to determine what effects CA has on humor and how well the use of humorous messages alleviates the problems associated with CA. …

I.A. Richards' Triangle Of Meaning Compared And Contrasted With The Rhetoric Of The Holy Bible, Gregory L. Swango

Masters Theses

It is the Bible's claim to be the inspired word of God. The message from the Scriptures has persuaded millions: from the shepherd of the first century to the business person of our present age. The words chosen, the genres used, and the forms of verbal support employed are prodigious in every way. The rhetorician and linguist, I. A. Richards, has written and spoken on how words come to have meaning, how they are used in context, and how they are used metaphorically. He has developed his ideas through a model called the triangle of meaning. There is justification for …

99 Bottles: An Exploration Of Oral Interpretation As Rhetoric, Jeffrey T. Hess

Masters Theses

This thesis attempts to combine the elements of oral interpretation and rhetoric in order to create a group performance piece that contains interesting movement and dialogue as well as persuasive rhetorical elements. This new genre of group oral interpretation is called Rhetorical Theatre and implements only non-fictional material for the manuscript. Metaphoric blocking and direction is discussed, as well as the use of other conventions currently employed in group interpretation.

Gender Differences In Evaluation Styles, Jean B. Hudson

Masters Theses

There is currently extensive research on gender differences in the area of speech communication. This study explores the gender differences in speaking styles and their relation to evaluation styles. Subjects were students enrolled in Introduction to Speech Communication at Eastern Illinois University. After compiling 722 speech evaluation sheets, an analysis of variance, factor analysis, and content analysis was conducted. Significant results concluded that sex of the instructor, sex of the speaker, and sex of the evaluator influence each other. Implications of this study were that speech instructors must be aware of their own speaking and evaluation style to avoid any …

Telling Grimm Tales: Rhetoric That Molds, Comforts And Remains, Constance S. E. Cooper

Masters Theses

An explanation of oral tradition and its portent for language clarifies the fairy tale genre. Its purpose, various cultural impacts, criticism and limitations are introduced. Ludwig and Wilhelm Grimm translated their personal interest into a form of speech that endures past cultural and linguistic barriers. The Grimms' scholastic credentials and lifework reveal the original storytellers and subjects in a historical/geographical framework. Part II isolates 68 tales of animal dialogue, discusses human-like character responses of help and harm, and submits a brief narrative criticism of the conglomerate rhetorical entity. Character insights and communication findings are resolved with Delphi compilations of 27 …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Preaching Of Robert Lee Russell, Ben F. Pennington

Masters Theses

Robert Lee Russell's pulpit oratory is analyzed through a review of the literature, personal interviews and critical study of three specific sermons. The consistency of idea content and effectiveness of the preaching is evaluated according to the concepts of rhetorical analysis delineated in Nilsen's (1957) Interpretive Funnction of the Critic. Robert Russell's concepts of man [existence], ideas [knowledge], and society [values] is examined through analysis of his sermons. The results of the analysis are compared to the literature on preaching, statements from interviews with him, and comments by leaders of his congregation. It is concluded that Russell is an …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of "Lincoln, The First American," A Speech By Franklin Baldwin Wiley, John Trist Wiley

Masters Theses

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to analyze the speech "Lincoln, The First American" given on February 12, 1913 by Franklin Baldwin Wiley.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that a rhetorical analysis of "Lincoln, The First American" would give significant rhetorical and historical insights into Lincoln, into Franklin Baldwin Wiley, and into the times of both men.

Materials

This study primarily relied on the written works of Franklin Baldwin Wiley. Appendix A contains a copy of the original transcript of the speech "Lincoln, The First American." This speech was selected because of its rhetorical-historical value.

Methodology

This …

The Bush Administration And The War On Drugs: An Exploratory Weaverian Rhetorical Analysis Of Ultimate Terms And Arguments As Weapons In The War On Drugs, James R. Conley

Masters Theses

One of the least studied trends in contemporary rhetorical discourse is what Richard Weaver called the ultimate "devil term,"--words which serve as the ultimate symbols of repulsion and repellant. Weaver claimed that the word "communist" was the ultimate devil term in the 1950s. However, it is the belief of this author that the new ultimate devil term of the 1990s is the word "drug."

This study sought to determine whether or not a shift in ultimate terms had occurred by examining the speeches of President George Bush and other members of his Administration associated with the war on drugs. A …

Evolution/Creation Debate: A Rhetorical Analysis, James V. Miteff

Masters Theses

During the course of human history, many social issues have come and gone. One argument that caught the writer's eye is the argument about how man came to exist.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is to analyze an evolution/creation debate that took place at Columbus College, Georgia, on May 6, 1981. Evolutionary theory was supported by Dr. Schwinner, a paleontologist from Columbus College. His partner was Dr. Frazier, a professor of geology at Columbus College. Creation theory was supported by Dr. Henry Morris, President of the Institute for Creation Research, San Diego, and Dr. Slusher, an astronomer …

The Effects Of Dogmatism, Rhetorical Sensitivity, And Attitude Valence On Selected Speech Ratings, Chris B. Geyerman

Masters Theses

This study empirically examined the demand characteristic construct and the information processing construct of the rating error paradigm. The findings of this study indicated that the position advocated by the speaker with respect to the attitude valence of the raters significantly influenced the speech evaluation process. This study provides support for the demand characteristic construct and the information processing construct of rating error theory. Implications in terms of pedagogy, theory, and future research are discussed.

Variables That Affect Success In Debate, Karen S. Shelton

Masters Theses

This study examines the effect of the six traditional categories of debate evaluation on the A.F.A. Form C and Form W ballots upon win/loss and gender. It also examines the effect of nonperformance variables, such as proximity, gender of the debaters, and gender of the judge, upon the outcome of intercollegiate debates. The data were gathered from the Owen L. Coon Memorial Debate Tournament hosted by Northwestern University in February, 1983. In all, the data pool consisted of 42 debates. The data were submitted to analysis to the SAS computer program at Eastern Illinois University.

The results of the discriminant …

Homiletics Courses In Five Major Protestant Denominations: A Rhetorical Analysis, Ricky W. Manwaring

Masters Theses

I. The Nature and Purpose of the Study. The hypothesis of this study was that the nature of the rhetorical training currently offered by major Protestant denominations could be discovered by analyzing the homiletic texts used by those denominations in their respective homiletics courses. It was the purpose of this study, through analyzing the homilectics textbooks used, to answer two questions: (1) What rhetorical canons are being included, or excluded from, the basic homiletics courses of the Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians? and (2) What differences and similarities, if any, exist in the homiletics courses of the Baptists, Methodists, …

Concepts Of Ethos In Classical And Modern Rhetoric, Corinne Thomley

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose:

Ethos, or the character of the speaker, is a subject of interest to students of rhetoric. This study traces the concepts of ethos from classical to modern times, and identifies philosophical value systems on which these concepts are based.

Hypothesis:

The study explores the hypothesis that similarities and differences exist between classical and modern concepts of ethos and that the concepts can generally be identified with philosophical value systems.

Criteria and Procedure:

The study is focussed by the following seven questions:

1. What philosophical value systems provided the bases for the concepts of ethos set forth by classical …

Speech Library Series: Formulation And Utilization, Johnn Edward Malloy

Masters Theses

School District 205 has erased a large portion of their videotaped library on advice of the district lawyer. This field study is a three-pronged effort: (1) to conduct a survey among district faculty to discover the attitudes toward the usefulness of a series of ten videotaped programs depicting excellent speech communication models performing in three basic areas--acting, interpretation, and public address, (2) to produce these ten programs and add them to the library, and (3) to survey selected groups of students to aquire their reactions to the tapes.

The faculty survey shows that the programs would be of value for …

A Synoptic History Of Classical Rhetoric, Richard C. Blakeman

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Self-Concept Instruction As Part Of The Basic Speech Course, Gayle Lynn Davenport

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Tecumseh: His Rhetoric And Oratory, Bette-Jon Schrade

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Henry Clay Upon Abraham Lincoln Regarding Lines Of Argument On The Slavery Issue, Kenneth E. Aubens

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was: To discover the influence of Henry Clay upon Abraham Lincoln regarding lines of argument on the slavery issue. The method of procedure entailed the following: gathering all available materials related to the problem; organizing the gathered materials into the headings of Henry Clay on the slavery issue; Abraham Lincoln on the slavery issue; and Abraham Lincoln's acknowledgements to Henry Clay on the slavery issue; analyzing the materials according to support for previous writings; contradiction of previous writings; and supplement to previous writings; reporting the findings of the study; and summarizing the findings leading to …

A Study Into The Effects Of Knowledge Of Peer Group Evaluation Upon Self-Concept Change, Janice Marie Beyer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Historical-Rhetorical Analysis Of Selections Of Martin Luther's Rhetoric, Maynard D. Hilgendorf

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Analysis And Evaluation Of John Connally's May 28, 1971 Speech At Munich, Germany During The International Monetary Crisis, Rita Lynne Colbert

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Mrs. Coretta Scott King's Commencement Address, Janice Kenney

Masters Theses

Coretta King, known best as Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr., has been the new image of black womanhood for the black race since the days of the Montgomery bus boycott, which had its beginning on December 1, 1955. Mrs. King represents the new image of black womanhood because she is the first black woman projected into prominence by her husband. She is a follower in her husband's footsteps. She has taken up her husband's dream as her own and in the process has become a symbol in her own right.

Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this study was to …

An Empirical Investigation Of Selected Stock Issues In Debate Evaluation, Bill Waggoner

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Experimental Study Of The Effect Of Long Hair Worn By Males Upon Immediate Recall In The Classroom Situation, Edward George Sutter

Masters Theses

The appearance of the orator has been a concern of rhetoricians since the classical era. A review of contemporary literature revealed that authors in the area of communication still include theories regarding particulars of effective speaker appearance in their writings. Although authors of speech texts have become prescriptive in their directives of grooming, today’s theoretical preference for short hairstyles in educational speaking contexts has not been quantitatively tested. Therefore, this investigation was designed to experimentally assess the effects of the introduction of longer hairstyles in the classroom situation upon student’s immediate recall.

On hundred twenty-nine students enrolled in eight sections …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Selected Textbooks In Public Speaking Revealing The Principles Of Effective Informative Speaking, Daniel Gary Bruneau

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson’S United Nations Address Of October 23, 1962, During The Cuban Missile Crisis, Jeanne F. Jones

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Two Methods Of Student Evaluation Via Video Tape In A Fundamentals Of Speech Program, Ronald Lynn Stephenson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Critical Analysis Of The Sermon Delivered By Chaplain Harry C. Wood On December 14, 1941, Judy Jones Sarver

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.