Like every discipline, Rhetorical Studies relies on a technical vocabulary to convey specialized concepts, but few disciplines rely so deeply on a set of terms developed so long ago. Pathos, kairos, doxa, topos—these and others originate from the so-called classical world, which has conferred on them excessive authority. Without jettisoning these rhetorical terms altogether, this handbook addresses critiques of their ongoing relevance, explanatory power, and exclusionary effects. A New Handbook of Rhetoric inverts the terms of classical rhetoric by applying to them the alpha privative, a prefix that expresses absence. Adding the prefix α- to more than a dozen of the most important terms in the field, the contributors to this volume build a new vocabulary for rhetorical inquiry. Essays on apathy, akairos, adoxa, and atopos, among others, explore long-standing disciplinary habits, reveal the denials and privileges inherent in traditional rhetorical inquiry, and theorize new problems and methods. Using this vocabulary in an analysis of current politics, media, and technology, the essays illuminate aspects of contemporary culture that traditional rhetorical theory often overlooks. Innovative and groundbreaking, A New Handbook of Rhetoric at once draws on and unsettles ancient Greek rhetorical terms, opening new avenues for studying values, norms, and phenomena often stymied by the tradition. In addition to the editor, the contributors include Caddie Alford, Benjamin Firgens, Cory Geraths, Anthony J. Irizarry, Mari Lee Mifsud, John Muckelbauer, Bess R. H. Myers, Damien Smith Pfister, Nathaniel A. Rivers, and Alessandra Von Burg.

Society's attitudes to rhetoric are often very negative. Here, Richard Toye provides an engaging, historically informed introduction to rhetoric, from Ancient Greece to the present day. Wide-ranging in its scope, this Very Short Introduction is the essential starting point for understanding the art of persuasion.

This text offers beginning writers complete coverage of important writing techniques and an easy-to-use handbook of grammar and usage. It can be used as an effective classroom tool as well as used independently by students working on assignments. The Basics has an engaging writing style and focuses on what is truly important and common. A variety of practice exercises and assignments allow students to apply the practical techniques presented in the book.

Co-authored by a novelist and a scholar, Speaking of Writing follows four college students from diverse backgrounds as they face the challenges of reading, writing, and critical thinking in first-year composition classes and across the disciplines. Each chapter engages students in relatable, often humorous scenarios that focus on key challenges. Through its story-based approach, this brief rhetoric enacts process-based pedagogy, showing student writers grappling with fundamental questions: How can I apply my own strategies for success to new assignments? How can I maintain my own voice when asked to compose in an academic style? What do college professors mean by a thesis? Why is my argument weak, and how can I make it stronger? The book vividly dramatizes a draft-and-revision process that includes instructor feedback, peer review, and careful research.

This book is for anyone who wants to be a better writer, but it can be of most value to those making the move into more formal types of writing. Writers who are beginning college level courses and those who are applying their writing skills in business for the first time often find it "slow-going". Writing of a more formal nature is heavily dependent on particular structures and modes of thought. If you're a college student struggling through composition courses, you'll find practical and easy to follow guidance here. If you're a working professional looking for a way to elevate your writing to the next level, this book can help you get there. If you're looking for a way to improve your speeches, this book has many suggestions you can start using right away.The secret is using the art of rhetoric. The principles have been around for thousands of years, and the latest research into how our brains process meaning has confirmed that rhetoric works! Most books on rhetoric are dense and needlessly complex. You might have to buy a college textbook of hundreds of pages and then wade through it to try and extract the sparse information it may have on rhetoric. And you'll probably pay over $100 for the privilege.I've taught writing for over 25 years. I've used just about every approach to writing there is. I have also used many of the textbooks that make all kinds of promises about what they can do to improve writing outcomes. Unfortunately, students rarely get anything useful out of them, but they've sure paid for the "privilege" of having them available. This book is radically different. One of the first things you will notice is that is a surprisingly short book. That is by design. Though you might feel you would be getting more for your money if the book were three times longer and ten times more expensive you'd be wrong. What I've attempted to do in this book is distill the essence of rhetoric into an easy to use handbook-one that I wished my students could have had. I wanted to include everything I think all writers should know about rhetoric and composition. I've eliminated everything else. Don't let the word rhetoric frighten you away. This isn't rocket science. Writing is a process of practice and discovery. This is a handbook to take along with you on your writing journey. The book is divided into the following sections: An explanation of what rhetoric can do for you.A guide that will enable you to perform rhetorical analysis.An explanation of rhetorical structures.How audience appeals are used to form the basis of successful arguments.An explanation and examples of the most commonly used rhetorical forms.A quite inclusive explanation of rhetorical tools you can begin using right away to give your writing and speeches more power.

Rhetoric for Radicals is intended for college-aged activists and organizers, and for the most part it's written in a relaxed, approachable style. It does get a bit cerebral and academic in places - in demonstrating how the book builds on the previous literature - but this material is kept to a minimum. On the whole, Rhetoric for Radicals is an invaluable, comprehensive how-to book that will greatly benefit beginning and seasoned rhetors alike. Rhetoric for Radicals concludes on a hopeful note, with the wish that its activist readership will internalize the book's rhetorical tools and tactics, and will be that much better equipped to become "the rhetors of the past who created the future." And indeed, there can be but little doubt tht this thorough, well-organized, accessible - and even personal - little handbook is the best instrument imaginable for fulfilling this purpose. - Frank Kaminski, EnergyBulletin.net Radicals have important messages to deliver, but they are often so caught up in the passion of their causes that they lose sight of effective communication—which is their most powerful tool. The ability to speak with clarity and intelligence, without underestimating the challenge of breaking new ground and winning new converts, is crucial. Activists often suffer from a credibility gap because of their lack of a coherent message and strategic delivery. Rhetoric for Radicals addresses and helps solve these problems. It provides the tools to develop the all-important communication skills necessary to be effectively heard. If you accept that communication creates the social world, then you will agree that changing the way we communicate can change the world. Rhetoric for Radicals provides practical guidelines for public speaking, writing, conversation, persuasion, political correctness, propaganda analysis, street theatrics, and new languages. Chapters include: Streets, Rhetoric, and Revolution A Call for Rhetorical Action Skills for the Multitude The Power of Language Body Rhetoric Twenty-First Century Radical Rhetoric Geared to college-aged radical activists and organizers, this book will also appeal to activists of any age who want to sharpen their message. Jason Del Gandio is a lecturer at Temple University in Philadelphia. He is a post-Seattle activist who has worked on globalization and free/fair trade issues, anti-war campaigns, and Latin American solidarity.

There is no easy way to learn to write', is the opening line of this clear and effective guide for writers wishing to learn the basics of writing whether it is fiction, poetry, news articles or essays. This book including answers to some general problems faced by prospective writers, a section on the kinds of discourse you should wish to achieve and on the exposition. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.