Rhetoric Research Articles

Fatalism, Evolution, and Interpersonal Attractiveness: Psychological Theories and Emotions in Incels' Constructions of Ingroup Identity and Outgroup Hate

ABSTRACTThe online communities of involuntary celibates, or incels, have garnered increased attention for their extreme misogyny and links to violent attacks against women. However, little is known about how (pseudo‐)psychological theories are used among the incel community to construct their identities and justify a worldview that centres on hatred against women. This study uses a critical discursive psychological approach to examine identity constructions in discussions on the so‐called blackpill worldview within the online community incels.is. Our analysis of more than 1000 discussion threads written in 2020 reveals three distinct incel identities: incels as victimised martyrs, incels as aggrieved masculine actors, and a divided identity negotiating the boundaries of ‘pure’ and ‘impure’ inceldom. These identities are constructed through psychological notions, specifically, fatalism, ‘just‐world’ beliefs, evolutionary psychology, eugenics and theories of interpersonal attraction—that serve as interpretative repertoires expressed through a plethora of rhetorical strategies and affective–discursive practices. The study highlights the importance of understanding how psychological concepts are appropriated in the construction of ingroup identities and justifications of outgroup hate within misogynist online communities.

Two views of Anglophone Southeast Asia: The Heinemann Writing in Asia series and Skoob Pacifica

This article surveys two important early publishers of writing from Southeast Asia with a regional reach and presents a case for understanding transnational connections based on publishing and writerly networks. Founded by Leon Comber in 1966, the Heinemann Writing Asia series emerged amidst a decolonizing Southeast Asia, publishing authors from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Besides being an important publication outlet for local writers without access to metropolitan publishing houses, the series arguably provided a regional outlet for works that fall outside the political rhetoric of national consolidation, while canonizing others from established literary traditions. The second half of the paper examines Skoob Pacifica, a London-based publishing imprint active between 1992 and 1994, paying specific attention to the two anthologies titled S. E. Asia Writes Back! and The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. The press was the first to position Southeast Asian writers and the region in opposition to the imperial metropole, in line with the rise of postcolonial studies in the Anglo-American academy. Significantly, Skoob Pacifica mirrors the earlier linguistic and geographical formation of the Heinemann series as a reflection of colonial linguistic legacies. By examining the affordances and limitations of Anglophone Southeast Asia through a materialist lens in the broader context of post independence and the Cold War, this essay makes a methodological case for understanding the region as a literary unit through its publishing networks.

The Influence of Mountain Climate on Cultural Features and Their Reflection in Political Discourse

It examines how mountain climate conditions shape unique cultural characteristics and how these characteristics are reflected in political discourse. The study analyzes the linguistic and rhetorical tools used by politicians to address the identity, traditions, and social attitudes of mountain regions. A comparative analysis is conducted using political speeches, media texts, and official documents, highlighting common and specific traits across different cultures. The findings reveal how environmental conditions influence the formation of cultural values, which in turn are reflected in political rhetoric.

Leon Pinsker’s Proto-Zionist Pamphlet Autoemancipation! in Sh. Y. Abramovitsh’s Skeptical Yiddish Reworking

Leon Pinsker’s pamphlet Autoemancipation! (1882), a seminal text of early Jewish nationalism, arguably established Zionism as a movement functioning in the German language. Soon after its publication, the renowned Yiddish writer Sh. Y. Abramovitch produced a Yiddish language version (1884). Abramovitsh’s rendering is above all an adaptation of German or Western European political and cultural concepts and vocabulary to the Jewish, Eastern European Yiddish-speaking milieu, with changes in vocabulary, rhetorical strategies, and cultural references. Abramovitsh reworked the pamphlet according to his own thinking on the plight of Jews in the Russian Empire and a possible nationalist solution, as exemplified in his contemporary novels. In the article, I compare the language in which several socio-political concepts are expressed in the two texts in order to determine whether Abramovitsh, in his ideological skepticism, also subtly adapts the content of the nationalist thesis.

Disgust in early Islamic thought

The relationship between morality and disgust has been a matter of considerable interest and debate in modern scholarship, while its salience in premodern religious history still deserves more attention. This article focuses on the role of disgust in medieval Muslim thought, identifying relevant notions in classical Arabic and examining their usage in traditionist sources from the first few centuries of Islam (seventh to tenth centuries ce). Hadith narratives illustrate the concept of taqadhdhur or revulsion to a disgusting object, especially in the context of food. Well-known accounts of the Prophet Muhammad’s aversion to an Arab custom of eating lizards raised questions about the normative implications of his disgust, which medieval jurists sought to resolve through interpretive debates on the category of khaba'ith (disgusting things) in dietary law. In contrast to the circumstantial role of disgust in law, appeals to disgust served as a rhetorical strategy for moral persuasion against sin in the literature of hadith, Qur'anic exegesis, and traditions associated with renunciant piety (zuhd). A paradigmatic case is the invocation of a particular motif, the rotting corpse (jifa), which is considered to be a core elicitor of disgust and was frequently used in early Islamic sources as a trope for the vice of gossip or backbiting (ghiba). The metaphor was elaborated through traditions centered on the sensory dimensions of disgust as a bodily phenomenon. Stories of pious Muslims suggest the affective power of such traditions to inculcate revulsion toward sin. I argue that early Muslim pietists regarded disgust as a didactic instrument and a morally productive emotion.

Adaptive Rhetorical Strategies in Public Relations: Analyzing Scientific Deliberation and Reputation in Makassar Universities with Emphasis on Quality Education

Objective: This research examines the adaptive capacity of university public relations from a self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective. It explores how the university ecosystem and the rhetorical expressions produced by University- PR function as differentiation mechanisms within the organizational system in Makassar Regency Theoretical Framework: This dissertation uses Niklas Luhmann's (2002) self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective to explore the adaptive capacity of Public Relations through the meaning of the university ecosystem and the expression of governance and rhetoric produced as differentiation of organizational science function systems. Method: This research uses a radical constructivism paradigm with comparative case studies at three universities. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and focus group discussions with university leaders, directors, heads of Public Relations, and staff of Public Relations, while rhetorical production is tracked by media content analysis. Data were analysed by triangulation, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. Results and Discussion: The research findings indicate that Public Relations at Unhas identifies environmental challenges by interpreting university autonomy and the PTN BH League, enhancing human resources, and fostering research and innovation as a Maritime continent campus, while temporarily achieving a World Class University ranking of 500-1000. In contrast, UINAM's Public Relations addresses sustainability issues within the Public Service Agency, aligning with the Chancellor's vision and responding to digital transformation. UMI's Public Relations focuses on institutional competition, partnership development, and maintaining Islamic identity, targeting improvements in Tridharma and aiming for a 500-1000 Asian World Class University ranking. Differences in governance structures reflect universities' complexities, with distinct coordination lines across institutions. Research Implications: This study emphasizes that universities employ unique communication strategies that diverge from the conventional business and government focus in public relations research, revealing the need for a more nuanced understanding of their public relations practices. Originality/Value: The research reveals that Unhas Public Relations tackles environmental issues through university autonomy and innovation, achieving a temporary World Class ranking. UINAM focuses on sustainability and digital transformation, while UMI emphasizes competition and Islamic identity, aiming for academic excellence. Governance structures vary, reflecting the complexities of each institution.

Attitude change by facilitating choice: Experimentally evaluating a social identity‐based intervention to nativist populist rhetoric

AbstractNativist populism is on the rise across many liberal democratic contexts, yet we know relatively less about how to challenge its negative impacts. This study investigates the effectiveness of a novel intervention designed to counter nativist populist rhetoric. We draw on a social identity mobilization approach, and across two randomized control experiments in the United Kingdom (n = 850), test whether showing people how social identities can be used for influence effectively challenges populist and anti‐immigrant attitudes. In study 1, we found significantly lower populist attitudes among participants who received the intervention versus control. However, we did not observe any significant differences in anti‐immigrant attitudes. In study 2, we developed the immigration materials and employed a more comprehensive assessment that considered pre‐existing attitudes. Results replicated the effects on populist attitudes but did not indicate impacts on anti‐immigration attitudes. Notably, the effects on populist attitudes were maintained after controlling for age, gender, education, political orientation, and political interest. Overall, our intervention represents a novel avenue to addressing challenges posed by nativist populist rhetoric. Furthermore, the paper highlights the potential of leveraging social identity mobilization research to challenge political rhetoric, contributing wider insights for future interventions.

O DIREITO PENAL SIMBÓLICO À LUZ DE UMA ANÁLISE DO MEDO E DA INSEGURANÇA NA MODERNIDADE LÍQUIDA

This article examines the effects of fear and insecurity on Criminal Law in postmodern societies, through the lens of Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of liquidity. Demagogic political rhetoric, amplified by media sensationalism, fosters the misguided perception that harsher criminal laws and new incriminating norms are effective solutions to violence and crime. Punitive proposals have garnered significant social support, despite the apparent ineffectiveness of stricter legislation in addressing these issues. The study explores how the rise of symbolic Criminal Law not only generates social DISSATISFACTION but also serves specific interests, perpetuating a selective system that disproportionately penalizes vulnerable groups. Through a comprehensive national and international literature review, the article applies Bauman’s formulations to the symbolisms exercised by Criminal Law, wherein the functions and roles of the ultima ratio’s penal law are distorted by social demands and punitive dynamics.

The Use of Humor, Irony, and Metaphors in Everyday Communication: An Exploratory Investigation

This study explores the role of humor, irony, and metaphors in everyday communication among college students at Mindoro State University (MinSU). These rhetorical strategies are integral to social interactions, helping individuals convey emotions, form connections, and simplify complex ideas. Using an exploratory, qualitative approach, the researchers examined how selected students employ these techniques across various social contexts, including family, friends, and academic settings. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, allowing for analysis of sociolinguistic factors, such as age, gender, and social class, that influence humor, irony, and metaphors. The findings suggest that humor fosters camaraderie, while irony subtly critiques or expresses contradictions, and metaphors enhance comprehension by linking abstract ideas to familiar experiences. Cross-cultural insights reveal unique interpretations of these elements, manifesting the potential for misunderstandings in diverse settings. This research highlights the adaptive nature of these rhetorical tools, revealing how they bridge social gaps, reinforce group identity, and support communication. The study contributes to understanding language use in regional academic settings, offering implications for effective communication and cultural sensitivity in multicultural environments.

Babel: Political Rhetoric of a Confused Legacy by Samuel L. Boyd (review)

Babel: Political Rhetoric of a Confused Legacy by Samuel L. Boyd (review)

Crumpling the Timeline

Abstract This introduction defines crumpling the timeline as a classroom practice in which instructors and students explore medieval texts alongside twentieth- and twenty-first-century works. In this special issue, some contributors describe teaching strategies that pair premodern literature with overtly “medievalist” contemporary works. Other contributors engage students in analyzing themes, questions, and rhetorical strategies found both in medieval texts and in more recent works that do not explicitly invoke the Middle Ages. Developments within medieval studies as a field necessitate new ways of conceptualizing the relationship between the present and the past. Often surprised by the common ground between medieval preoccupations and our own, students embrace the opportunity to incorporate their own cultural expertise into classroom conversations.

“Hallelujah”, “Iye”, “Hosannah”: Investigating the Conversational Dynamics in Prayers of the ESOCS Church

This study utilizes Conversational Analysis (CA) theory to examine the discourse and conversational dynamics in the prayers of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) Church, a spiritually vibrant community known for its fervent, linguistically rich prayers. ESOCS prayers are rooted in distinctive traditions that incorporate scriptural references, ritualistic expressions, and emotional outpourings, offering a rich domain for linguistic analysis. The study analyzes 4 prayer samples, selected from an initial pool of 45 prayer recordings collected across 22 ESOCS church branches worldwide, focusing on dialogicity, foregrounding, cohesion, adjacency pairs, and prosody. The findings reveal that an interactive exchange between linguistic structure, cultural practices, and spirituality characterizes ESOCS prayer dialogue. Dialogicity, rhetorical strategies, and prosody play a significant role in fostering the congregation's active engagement, unity, and reverence. Furthermore, cohesion techniques and the use of adjacency pairs reflect the cultural values that shape the prayer experience, enhancing both clarity and emotional depth. This investigation offers insights into the unique conversational dynamics of ESOCS prayers and contributes significantly to the growing literature on religious discourse analysis, particularly, in the context of prayers.

Rhetoric of Violence in Political Discourses: A Comparative Study of Pakistani Politicians’ Speeches

Language plays a significant role in determining what goes on in an individual's mind. Politicians use language insidiously and persuasively to impart their ideologies and to win the consent of the general masses. Moreover, they also use certain lexicons to otherize the others. Speeches are delivered by politicians for positive self-representation and negative others representation. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of political discourses. For this purpose, the speeches of three Pakistani politicians, namely Imran Khan, Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto, have been analysed from Sept. 2021 to May 2023. It is analysed how they exercise political rhetoric using different linguistic spins. The theoretical framework, including Paul Chilton (2004) Discourse Space Theory, is employed for this study. The data is taken from the YouTube channel of Pakistani news channels, namely ARY and SAMMA TV. The findings reveal that politicians make use of various discursive spins and rhetorical strategies to others.

The Art of Persuasion in the Courtroom: A Reflection on Courtroom Rhetoric, Possible Risks and Technological Advancements

This paper explores the intricate relationship between classical rhetoric, legal rhetoric and the inherent risks faced by advocates during courtroom speeches. It delves into the fundamental principles of persuasive communication within legal contexts and legal discourse, examining how choice of language, structure, tone and voice level can significantly influence trial outcomes and perceptions pf decision-makers and the audiences. The analysis highlights various rhetorical strategies employed by advocates while also addressing potential pitfalls, including the risk of misinterpretation, emotional overload, and the lack of trust on behalf of a judge. Through case studies and expert insights, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how effective rhetoric can navigate the complexities of legal discourse while mitigating associated risks. Ultimately, it aims to equip advocates with the necessary tools to enhance their representation practices within the courtroom setting.

Ethnolinguistic peculiarities of the language of ‘power’ on the material of historical and legendary heroes of Yakuts

The article focuses on the study of the language of "power" based on the speech forms of Tyghyn Darkhan, a historical figure of the Sakha people, conducted within the framework of ethnolinguistic analysis. The relevance of the research is determined by the need for an in-depth examination of the phenomenon of leadership in the national settlements of the Russian Arctic, as well as the analysis of grassroots perceptions of state governance. This study, based on Yakut folklore materials, contributes to expanding knowledge about the mechanisms of power and leadership in northern sociocultural contexts. The novelty of the study lies in its first-ever approach to analyzing the language of "power" through the lens of Yakut folklore, which allows for the identification of unique features of political discourse. This opens up opportunities to analyze rhetorical strategies, manipulative techniques, and mechanisms for achieving balance in relationships between power and society. The research aims to analyze the language of "power" through the speech forms of Tyghyn Darkhan to identify the ways leadership qualities were constructed and power relationships were established in traditional Sakha society. To achieve this goal, folklore sources related to the image of the hero were studied, key linguistic tools were identified, and their functional roles in political discourse were analyzed. The methodological foundation of the study includes descriptive, comparative-historical, semantic, and discourse analysis. Particular attention is paid to the interpretation of texts in their cultural and historical context. The results demonstrate that Tyghyn Darkhan's language played a significant role in consolidating his authority, fostering social integration, and regulating societal relations. His rhetorical strategies combined traditional and innovative approaches, highlighting his importance for understanding the mechanisms of power in ethnic communities. The findings make a substantial contribution to the development of ethnolinguistics and political anthropology. Future research prospects include extending the analysis to the linguistic practices of other northern peoples, which will deepen the understanding of the role of language in sociopolitical processes in Arctic regions.

“Guided by the science”: a keyword analysis of government ministers’ and scientists’ stance in the UK government’s COVID-19 press briefings

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government used TV press briefings, involving government ministers as well as scientific and medical experts to update the public on the spread of the virus, advances in understanding the disease, and preventive measures. These briefings provide a valuable linguistic resource to study how science is disseminated and used by scientists and politicians in emergency risk communication. To this end, a corpus has been compiled, consisting of transcripts of 150 briefings of approximately 100 h, with a total of 996,040 words. This study uses text dispersion keyness to derive keywords that characterize the discourse of scientists and politicians, respectively. Focusing on stance markers, the study reveals different rhetorical strategies for persuasion used by the two parties in public health emergency communication. Specifically, the scientists employ cautious reasoning and restrained confidence, while the ministers use a war-on-coronavirus narrative with unrestrained confidence, in the framing of the disease and scientific development.

Islamophobia and Representation of the West in Pakistani Political Discourse: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Anti-Western Narratives

This study investigates the representation of Islamophobia and the West within Pakistani political discourse, analyzing how anti-Western narratives are constructed by political leaders and media. Through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), particularly Van Dijk's Socio-Cognitive Approach, the study examines speeches, media statements, and social media posts to identify the linguistic and rhetorical strategies that frame Western nations as antagonistic toward Islam and Muslims. By leveraging the concept of 'othering,' these narratives depict Western nations as both cultural and ideological threats, reinforcing in-group identity among Pakistanis and promoting national solidarity. The research uncovers recurring themes, including the portrayal of the West as inherently Islamophobic and morally divergent, the invocation of religious and cultural symbols to appeal to collective Islamic identity, and the strategic use of emotional appeals and metaphors to solidify anti-Western sentiments. This study contributes to the understanding of how Islamophobia discourse is employed to influence public opinion, strengthen political legitimacy, and unify the nation against perceived external threats. Findings also suggest that anti-Western narratives serve as powerful rhetorical tools in shaping national identity and resisting perceived Western hegemony. Future research might further investigate similar discourses across other Muslim-majority nations to provide comparative insights into the role of political discourse in shaping perceptions of Islamophobia and foreign policy.

The Power of Words from the 2024 United States Presidential Debates: A Natural Language Processing Approach

This study analyzes the linguistic patterns and rhetorical strategies employed in the 2024 U.S. presidential debates from the exchanges between Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. This paper examines debate transcripts to find underlying themes and communication styles using Natural Language Processing (NLP) advanced techniques, including an n-gram analysis, sentiment analysis, and lexical diversity measurements. The methodology combines a quantitative text analysis with qualitative interpretation through the Jaccard similarity coefficient, the Type–Token Ratio, and the Measure of Textual Lexical Diversity. The empirical results reveal distinct linguistic profiles for each candidate: Trump consistently employed emotionally charged language with high sentiment volatility, while Biden and Harris demonstrated more measured approaches with higher lexical diversity. Finally, this research contributes to the understanding of political discourse in high-stakes debates through NLP and can offer information on the evolution of the communication strategies of the presidential candidates of any country with this regime.

Of Image Repair Strategies in Online Crises

In contemporary society, social media plays an ever-increasing role. The frequency and impact of crises, particularly online, are escalating, posing economic and reputational threats to organizations. Although much research on crisis communication and management has emerged, the field still lacks a general theory or paradigm. This research deficiency has reached a point where it is necessary to limit the inclusion of new theoretical elements but instead concretize practical applications of existing theory. Organizations often struggle with inadequate or rhetorically insufficient crisis responses, leading to stakeholder dissatisfaction and subsequently loss of resources. In this article, I have addressed this problem. By examining to what extent, it is possible to create a new theory for selecting an image repair strategy that can be used both during crises and as an analytical tool in retrospect. Thus, proposing a new theory, the Model of Image Repair Selection (MIRS), and proposals for integrating the theory into crisis management efforts, offering practical solutions to the complexity of crises. Thus, this work proposes a new theory, the Model of Image Repair Selection (MIRS), along with recommendations for integrating the theory into crisis management efforts, offering practical solutions to address the complexity of crises. With this, MIRS has the potential to help organizations navigate and lessen the effects of crises. MIRS accommodates both the complex and dynamic dimensions of crises without excluding combinations with other approaches to crisis communication. By integrating the six major rhetorical strategies in crises into a model based on four parameters—risk, transparency, attitude, and communicative resources—MIRS enhances theoretical understanding and provides organizations with a valuable instrument for crisis management

Whatsapp Gateway as a Means of Recruitment and Retention of Blood Donors in the Blood Donor Unit of PMI City Surakarta

Blood is essential for human life, and its availability depends solely on voluntary blood donations. Donor recruitment and retention is crucial to maintain adequate blood supply, yet many blood donation units, including PMI Surakarta City, face challenges in ensuring repeat donors. This study aims to explore the implementation of WhatsApp Gateway as a tool for blood donor recruitment and retention at PMI Surakarta City. This research focuses on the communication strategies used and their effectiveness in donor retention. A qualitative case study approach was used, which involved semi-structured interviews with first-time donors and PMI staff, in addition to analysis of WhatsApp messages and donor reports. The theoretical framework used was Barbara O'Keefe's Message Design Logic (MDL), which examines expressive, conventional, and rhetorical communication strategies. Findings show that WhatsApp Gateway increases donor engagement through personalized and timely messages, fostering emotional connection and social responsibility. Expressive logic emphasizes gratitude and personal connection, conventional logic ensures reminders conform to social norms, and rhetorical logic effectively educates and persuades donors. However, there are still gaps in achieving real-time responsiveness and accommodating feedback from donors. This study highlights the potential of utilizing digital communication platforms for public health initiatives, especially in donor retention strategies. Implicated research suggests that optimizing such systems can increase donor loyalty, stabilize blood supply, and create a sustainable donor management system. Further improvements in two-way communication and system responsiveness are recommended.