Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice

This transformative text has taught the lively art of rhetorical criticism to thousands of readers—becoming a revered standard. With an unparalleled talent for distilling sophisticated rhetorical concepts and processes, Sonja Foss provides an engagingly written, practical guide delineating ten methods of doing rhetorical criticism. Clear instructions describe the process for systematic investigation of symbolic acts and artifacts and the necessary ingredients for well-reasoned explanations and analysis. Accessible sample essays illustrate each method, and the same artifact is analyzed for nine of the methods to reveal the nuances and applicability of different approaches. A deep understanding of rhetorical criticism equips readers to be engaged and active participants in shaping the nature of the world in which they live. A chapter on feminist criticism features the disruption of conventional ideologies and practices. The chapter on narrative criticism highlights storytelling in the digital world. The emphasis on inquiry is invaluable for filtering meaning out of the communication encountered daily—for example, questions to ask, processes to employ for interpretation, assumptions to identify. Understanding rhetoric helps readers judge the effectiveness, accuracy, and impact of symbols. Read more