Rhetoric Research Articles

S. Stefano al Monte Celio, Donnchad mac Briain and papal legates in Ireland, 1064–1203

AbstractIn 1064, Donnchad mac Briain, son of Brian Bóroma and deposed claimant to the kingship of Ireland, went on pilgrimage to Rome, where he was buried in the important basilica and martyr shrine of S. Stefano Rotondo on the Caelian Hill. More than a century later, in the transformative period 1176–1203 which followed the English conquest of Ireland, the papal legati a latere sent with full legatine authority and jurisdiction in Ireland appear to have been drawn exclusively from the church of S. Stefano. This article first considers the circumstances and symbolism of Donnchad's pilgrimage and burial, alongside its long-term impact on Hiberno-Papal relations and on the papacy's conceptions of Irish sovereignty in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. It also explores the careers and missions of the cardinal priests and papal legates of S. Stefano to the peripheries of Latin Christendom in the long twelfth century, including at least one legate in Ireland, Gerard, who has hitherto awaited formal identification. Based on the legatine evidence, it suggests that in the decades of the English invasion, the papacy began using the burial site of the heir to arguably the last effective king of Ireland as part of a conscious and consistent rhetorical strategy, allowing it to dispose matters of sovereignty in Ireland.

Reading between the lines: exploring the unwritten rules of letters of recommendation in the Canadian resident selection process

Background: Efforts to better understand and improve letters of recommendation (LORs) in the resident selection process have identified unwritten rules and hidden practices that may limit their effectiveness. The objective of our study is to explore these unwritten rules and hidden practices more fully in one Canadian academic medical community. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, discourse-based interviews with 18 faculty members from the departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, Canada. Interviews were guided by sample LORs and were focused on experiences with either writing or reading LORs. We analyzed interviews using key concepts from genre theory and Aristotle’s appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. Results: Participants described how the practices surrounding LORs are guided by unwritten rules. These practices contributed to writers’ use of visible strategies and textual silence to establish credibility, build a strong case, and appeal to readers. Readers rely on similar strategies, but not always as intended by the writers. Conclusions: The unwritten rules of one academic community can impede a nationally-facilitated resident selection process. Our findings highlight how critiques and potential improvements to LORs could benefit from considering the use of visible and invisible rhetorical strategies in specific contexts.

Думи на водещия

Editor Words DOI 10.55206/EBMA3053 Prof. Dr Ivanka Mavrodieva, DSc Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Email: mavrodieva@phls.uni-sofia.bg Issue 59 (April 2024) of the Rhetoric and Communication Journal includes eight publications, which announce the results of research, among which surveys of parliamentary rhetoric and communication, which has manifestations in media and on the Internet, in politics and in society. The section “Media and Internet Communication” brings together four articles that contribute to the derivation of concepts, the delineation of the boundaries of new fields of academic research and the renewal of the categorical and conceptual apparatus in several scientific fields, for example through the terms “media culture”, “media transformation”, “cultural software” and “infor¬mation aesthetics”, “cancel culture”, “digital oral histories”, “hybrid risks and threats”. Simeon Vassilev outlines various scientific approaches to the definition of the term “media culture”; he presents theories, concepts, approaches and ad¬vo¬cates the need for a coherent theory of media transformation and media culture; the author draws conclusions about the phenomenon of media culture as a social practice. Desislava Dobreva explores a topic that is characterized by topicality and social sensitivity and examines the notion of “cancel culture”; she studies the phenomenon theoretically and historically; the author analyses current events and identifies rhetorical aspects in this specific virtual communication. Nikolina Ivanova-Bell examines the development of digital oral histories, as well as the opportunities they offer in the field of university education and academic libraries; on the basis of analyses she establishes the potential for enriching research and teaching experience in an academic environment. Andrey Velchev examines hybrid warfare from an interdisciplinary perspective; he analyses the role of the media and the Internet; the author presents the activities of institutions in identifying and neutralising hybrid threats, and in formulating and implementing strategic tasks regarding hybrid warfare. In the section “Political Communication and Parliamentary Rhetoric” two articles are included; they are written on the basis of a theoretical observation and include results of research into concepts in the fields of political science, political communication and parliamentary rhetoric in contemporary Bulgaria. Atanas Zhdrebev’s publication is devoted to populism; he discusses Takis Papas’s concept of populism as democratic illiberalism; the author gives examples of contemporary political phenomena and processes from different countries. Sofia-Nikol Nikolova examines the argumentation and rhetorical figures used by MPs during debates on significant domestic political issues and votes of no confidence and presents the results of an analysis of parliamentarian rhetoric in the 49th National Assembly in Bulgaria. The issue has a section “Contemporary Studies” in which there are options for presenting not only books, but also their contributions at the theoretical, methodological and research levels. The review of Professor Danail Danov’s book “Foundations of Media Pedagogy. A guide to the world of digital culture and its tools” is metaphorically entitled “a guide to the digital modus vivendi” by Simeon Vassilev. Professor Angel Angelov introduces Radeya Gesheva’s book “Enigmas and Paradigms in Some Twentieth-Century Italian Women Writers”. Prof. Dr. Ivanka Mavrodieva is a lecturer in rhetoric, argumentation, PR and virtual communication at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. She is the author of 15 books (including “Virtual rhetoric: from diaries to social networks”, “Political rhetoric in Bulgaria: from rallies to Web 2.0 (1989 - 2012)”, “Rhetoric and Public Re¬lations”, “Online Course on Rhetoric”) and 120 articles. Her research interests are in the fields of contemporary rhetoric, virtual communication, argumentation, PR and business communication. Rhetoric and Communications Journal, issue 59, April 2024 Read the Original in Bulgarian and English

THE ROLE OF RHETORIC IN TEACHER VIRTUAL EXCHANGES: NAVIGATING DIGITAL COMMUNICATION IN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS

Educators’ rhetorical skills are pivotal in virtual collaboration between teachers and parents, enhancing communication clarity and overcoming cultural barriers, thereby enriching educational experience and fostering intercultural understanding. A review of scientific databases such as Academic Search Complete, ERIC, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles from 2018 onwards that explore the role of rhetoric in teacher virtual exchanges. Articles were analysed for themes, findings, biases, and research gaps. A notable finding is the lack of research on rhetoric in virtual teacher exchanges, despite its potential to overcome cultural barriers and enhance collaboration. The study reveals that effective rhetorical techniques can improve clarity, persuasiveness, and intercultural understanding in virtual exchanges, indicating a need for more research and educational programs in this area. Furthermore, the study extends to virtual communication between teachers and parents, especially with non-native speakers or those with limited proficiency in the official language. This highlights the need for teachers to use sophisticated rhetorical strategies in diverse linguistic situations to improve understanding and involvement. In summary, the research underscores the significant impact of rhetorical skills in virtual teacher exchanges, with broader implications for global collaboration and intercultural understanding in the educational sphere. Keywords: educational technology, intercultural communication, parent-teacher collaboration, rhetorical strategies, virtual exchange.

Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis: Higher Education Institutions and the Three Shades of Social Media Communication

This study analyzed the social media communication of six higher education institutions (HEIs) in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic within the context of university social responsibility (USR). The study used a mixed-method approach, conducting both quantitative and qualitative analyses of 5547 social media posts published by HEIs on their official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts. The analysis identified three rhetorical strategies that were used by HEIs during the pandemic: Business as Usual, We are Great!, and We are Together. The study found that when compared to posts not related to COVID-19, the posts concerning the pandemic achieved higher interaction and broader reach on social media platforms. Facebook and Twitter emerged as the most frequently utilized platforms for crisis communication. This study thus underscores the role of social media as a vital tool for HEIs to use to fulfill their USR by actively engaging with stakeholders and fostering community solidarity and education during crises. The findings also advocate for using HEIs to harness social media not merely for information dissemination, but also as a platform for active stakeholder engagement and community support, both integral to their social responsibilities during challenging times.

Narratives of Justice: Legal Meaning, Literary Genres and Politics

Abstract This article explores diverse models of legal interpretation and their impact on the intersection of law and literature. Beginning with narrative naturalism and the Tarskian Correspondence Model, it contrasts with the Symphonic model’s contemporary perspective, recognizing the nuances of legal concepts. Then, it examines Heraclitean Realism and the Provocative Tapestry Model as challenges to the traditional concept of legal system. While realism acknowledges subjectivity, the Provocative Tapestry Model seeks revolutionary change. In comparative law, the Tarskian Model aligns with linguistic analysis, the Symphonic Model with harmonizing approaches, the Living Tapestry Model with dynamic perspectives, and the Provocative Tapestry Model with confronting conflicts. These diverse interpretation lenses influence cross-cultural legal understanding in comparative law methods, creating a multifaceted perspective. The conclusion examines narrative tropes in each interpretation, revealing storytelling elements and rhetorical strategies shaping legal traditions.

Constructing cultural integration through rhetoric in Modi’s speech in Lumbini, Nepal

This article reports how the rhetorical devices and logical argument utilized in the speech of Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, delivered in Lumbini, addressing the 2566th birth ceremony of Lord Buddha, assisted him to establish his purpose by persuading the audience. I adopted the concept of rhetoric developed by Aristotle and the notion of argument advanced by Toulmin as a theoretical perspective to analyze his speech. The findings reported that Modi used rhetorical devices and layers of argument to establish religious and cultural relationships between Nepal and India; however, he focused on religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, and excluded the religious and cultural sentiments of people belonging to other religious and cultural backgrounds living in both countries. The finding further revealed that Modi’s seemingly religious rhetoric was directed towards the political mission of promoting relations between Nepal and India by expanding cultural nationalism and establishing the supremacy of Hinduism and Buddhism. This study has greater significance because it adds new insights into the existing literature on rhetoric and communication and provides a clear direction for further analyzing the rhetorical strategy in Modi’s speeches.

Divisibility and Indivisibility of Security

In theory and political rhetoric, the concept/principle of indivisibility of security is widely discussed and politically articulated. It is also often documented in international diplomatic relations. However, more often than not, it is taken for granted as undeniable and desirable foundation of peace, stability and security of countries and regions, perhaps due to its obvious pacifist connotation. This can, however, lead to some terminological confusion and political illusion. Moreover, such an attractive pacifist principle can be ascribed not only to certain regions or continents but also to the whole system of international security which is in fact deeply divided on various criteria. The region of Central Asia represents by itself an interesting and important laboratory for testing this principle of indivisibility of security. The study of security problematique for five states of the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – became an academic and political challenge. This paper sets the purpose of critically analyzing the concept of divisibility/indivisibility of security as applied to Central Asia – the region which is located at the epicenter of geopolitical turbulence unfolding in the Eurasian continent.

“Look at Lagosians and Say I Am Going to Be in Charge”: Ideologies in the 2019 Lagos State (Nigeria) Gubernatorial Debate

Abstract Man, in the generic sense, is a political being whose entire life is permeated by politics. Because language plays a critical role in politics, the study was aimed at examining language as an instrument of persuasion and/or appeal in the 2019 gubernatorial debate in Lagos State. It was born out of the desire to unravel the linguistic strategies utilised by politicians to curry the electorate’s votes. Van Dijk’s (1997) socio-cognitive model of critical discourse analysis (CDA) was blended with Culpeper’s (2013) impoliteness theory to analyse the thirty-two (32) texts which were purposively sampled from the responses of the contestants. The theories were merged to establish how authors represent one another while communicating their plans. The analysis of the data revealed that the US/THEM dichotomy of the ideological square was employed by all the candidates. Findings revealed that politicians often raise very germane socio-economic issues in the polity in their presentations in a way that displays solidarity with the citizens, all in a bid to curry their votes. While lexicalisation is also another strategy employed to foreground issues to their own advantage, linguistic impoliteness (e.g., bald on record, name-calling, negative impoliteness, etc.) is deployed by politicians to whittle down opponents’ influence in order to increase theirs. The study concludes that the explication of the discursive, rhetorical, and linguistic strategies deployed by politicians helps citizens become more discerning listeners who make political choices based on convictions and not on rhetoric.

On the art critic M. I. Fabrikant’s report “The second five-year plan of scientific libraries for arts” (on the history of Soviet librarianship in the 1930s)

The personal archive of the art critic M. I. Fabricant (1887–1966), now in the collection of the Scientific Library of Lomonosov Moscow State University, comprises many documents in the book science, arts bibliography, and Soviet-era library science. The author publishes the exegetical text of the two draft versions of the report by M. I. Fabricant “The second five-year plan of scientific libraries for arts”. The dating of this document, presumably written shortly before June 19, 1932, is substantiated; the historical and political situation in the country of that period is described. The library science terminology then emerging and reflecting the political rhetoric of the five-year plans for Soviet economy is discussed. The use of technical terms in the humanitarian sphere is accentuated, e. g. “cultural construction”, “library construction”; within the collectivization paradigm, the terms characterized new methods of organization of work: “collection mobilization”, “consolidation”, “association”, “centralization”, “affiliating”, “hubbing”, “hub (central) library”, “general arts departments”; or the terms reflected the collective nature of work, like “brigades”, “groups” of museum libraries, art experts, “mass reader”, “library activists”. The number of terms characterized the specifics of museum libraries: “special library”, “scientific library”, “cultural and historical library”, “arts library”, “scientific library for arts”, “museum library”, “museum and arts library”, “isobibliothek” [“fine arts library”], “library for arts studies”.Scientific specificity of HAC: 5.10.4. “Library science, bibliography and book science (philological sciences)”.

Analyzing Speech Accommodation Model in 1st Debate of the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Candidates

In Indonesia, candidates, especially presidential candidates, are busy crafting positive narratives to build a positive image. In this study, we will look at language use from the macro level, namely, the situation and function of communication, as well as at the micro level, which is how the verbal interactions of language users communicate their ideas in front of the public. The current article uses qualitative with descriptive and interpretative types. Analysis of the Speech Accommodation Model in the first debate of the 2024 Indonesian presidential candidates reveals several key insights into how candidates strategically adapt their language to connect with different audiences and achieve their communication goals. The analysis highlights the dynamic nature of accommodation, with candidates shifting their linguistic styles based on situational factors, such as the topic of discussion, the perceived attitudes of the audience, and the rhetorical strategies employed by their opponents. This research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between language, identity, and power in political communication. By examining how candidates navigate linguistic diversity and negotiate their rhetorical stance, we acquire a deeper understanding of the strategies employed to engage, persuade, and mobilize voters in pursuing electoral success. And detail model used by all candidates is summed up as follows; inward convergence, outward convergence, divergence, con in dive accommodation, and over-accommodation.

Screening films on the peripheries: ‘cine-service’ in ‘red chums’ for Indigenous audiences in the rural Soviet North

ABSTRACT This article looks at film exhibition targeting Indigenous audiences in the rural Soviet North. It draws on the case of ‘red chums’ (or red ‘iaranga’, or ‘yurt’, etc. depending on the target population), which were a type of political enlightenment facility set up specifically for the Soviet Indigenous peoples. From their implementation at the end of the 1920s to the early 1970s, when they became a staple of Northern Indigenous life, red chums served remote Indigenous communities and reindeer-herding brigades, and are today regarded with nostalgia. Rooted in political enlightenment rhetoric, cinema in red chums was one of several activities to mediate Sovietness to Indigenous people. They exemplify the Soviet notion of ‘cine-service’ in the particular context of an ethnically defined peripheral space, the ‘North’, which can be located diversely in terms of geography and should be apprehended more as a concept than as a region. Ultimately, looking at cinema exhibition practices in the Soviet rural Northern peripheries helps us to re-envision our global understanding of centre-peripheries dynamics in cinema history.

Rachel Carson’s Strategies for Literary Science and Silent Spring

The first publisher of Silent Spring reportedly said that Rachel Carson made concern about pesticides into “literature.” What keeps Silent Spring in print today is not the details of the science she includes, current in the mid twentieth century, but how she helps readers think about scientific issues as accessible and transformational for them. Carson was also bluntly candid when she needed to be: “A quarter century ago, cancer in children was considered a medical rarity. Today, more American school children die of cancer than from any other disease.” Carson could change tone, pace, and rhetorical strategies as needed, to make her arguments effective and memorable—and we can learn from that how to reach a general public now once more ignorant of danger surrounding them.

The Concept of “Outsider” in Political and Sports Discourses (Based on the English Language)

This article outlines the results of a study on the concept of “outsider” in English political and sports discourses. The concept’s domain was found to be based on such major subdomains as “foreigner”, “intruder”, and “outcast”. Nevertheless, it also includes some positive associations evoked when negative connotations of the term outsider are not emphasized. In fact, in politics, the lexeme outsider and the concept it captures are often linked to positive attributes. The obtained results are in line with those covering the phenomenon of (self-)marginalization within political rhetoric but appear not to be limited to it. In mixed martial arts discourse, the concept of “outsider” is also vague; yet, due to a growing interest in the triumphs of dark-horse contenders, it is regularly employed by communicators, i.e., athletes and sports commentators.

Authoritarianism and majoritarian religious nationalism in contemporary India

AbstractThis first article in the 2024 World Affairs special issue examines the Narendra Modi regime in India. Often acerbic political rhetoric is attached to official policies of the regime, creating fear and hopelessness within sections of the population. In this study, five sets of political activities of the government are evaluated. First, cultural authoritarianism became apparent with complicity toward “cow vigilantism,” slapping sedition charges against those showing political dissent, banning the history books of selected progressives, and stereotyping sections of the left and liberals as antinationals. Second, the demonetization policy was implemented without adequately following the economic protocols of the state. Third, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill indicates the thwarting of democratic and federalist ideas. Fourth, the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise in Assam demonstrate the communal‐fascist worldview of the regime in profiling population groups. Finally, the sloppy handling of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the new Information Technology rules show the government's callous approach toward science and privacy. By analyzing such political activities, the article points out that majoritarian religious nationalism, coupled with authoritarianism, has been the ideological expression of the Modi regime, coexisting with both state surveillance and electoral democracy.

The Contrafatto Affair: Law, Judicial Risk, and Consent

In Paris, France on October 15, 1827, 28-year old Sicilian priest Joseph Contrafatto was sentenced for raping 5-year old Hortense Le Bon. This article frames the rhetorical strategies of the prosecution and defense using Robert Cover’s notion of judicial innovation, developed in his Justice Accused. Both sides based their arguments on articles 331 and 332 of the Criminal code. The Contrafatto Affair was an extraordinary case for rape legislation; it was among the first if not the first trial in France when a perpetrator of attentat à la pudeur avec violence (violent, indecent assault), was sentenced and found guilty when the prosecution used the argument of la violence morale (a type of coercion or abuse of an individual’s trust or naivety) when the victim suffered no physical signs of violence. Later, la violence morale and the requirement of consent became constitutive parts of the rape statutes by 1853 (for children) and 1857 (for adults), which this article develops through contextualizing law, rhetoric, and interpretation. The background of the trial provides an overview of certain procedures and protocols of 19th-century France. An examination of the jurisprudence related to attentat à la pudeur sans violence (non-violent, indecent assault, art. 331), attentat à la pudeur avec violence and la violence morale will highlight how forward-looking and risky the prosecution’s arguments were in his interpretation of article 332.

Political rhetoric vs practical reality of ‘Taking Back Control’: is the UK’s agri-food sector ready to break free from EU standards in the global arena?

ABSTRACT In the vortex of the Brexit discourse, the phrase ‘taking back control’ emerged as a resonant mantra, encapsulating a desire for enhanced sovereignty and self-direction. Despite its widespread usage and political importance, the phrase’s practical implications remain underexplored in academic literature. This study introduces a novel analytical framework that conceptualises the notion of taking back control as an outcome of de-Europeanisation and aims to analyse its practical implications. It uses two case studies, Pathogen Resistance Treatment (PRT) or ‘chlorinated chicken’ and neonicotinoid pesticide bans, to investigate the intricate interplay between political aspirations and economic realities in the UK’s attempt to diverge from EU standards. It reveals that the process of ‘taking back control’ is not a straightforward assertion of sovereignty but is mediated by complex negotiations that consider the trade-offs between regulatory autonomy, market access, and environmental and health standards. The findings underscore the persistent influence of the EU on the UK’s regulatory landscape and the strategic considerations that underpin the UK’s approach to de-Europeanisation. This study contributes to the broader discourse on Brexit by offering empirical insights into the practical challenges and opportunities that the UK faces as it redefines its regulatory standards in the global political economy.

Exploring the Narratives of Rustom and Esfandiar Battle within Shahnameh Ferdowsi: An Analytical Evaluation

In this scholarly investigation, we delve into the narrative of the legendary battle between Rustam and Esfandiar, aiming to unveil the nuanced ideological underpinnings woven within the text. Our analysis traverses various contextual dimensions, including the historical background of the text and its revered status within the tradition. Furthermore, we meticulously examine the linguistic intricacies—ranging from lexical choices to syntactical structures—and the rhetorical strategies employed, alongside an exploration of stylistic elements. Through this multifaceted approach, we strive to elucidate the latent ideological discourse embedded within the narrative. The tale of Rustam and Esfandiar's clash resonates with themes of national sovereignty, the steadfast defense of liberty, and the struggle against oppressive forces across diverse realms. Moreover, it offers insights into the author's critique of prevailing power dynamics and societal injustices.

The rhetoric of torture in Henri Alleg’s La Question

ABSTRACT Drawing essentially on David Spurr’s The Rhetoric of Empire (1993), this article discusses the discursive mechanisms that accompany the practice of torture as described in Henri Alleg’s La Question (1958). Examining the relation between these mechanisms and the broader discourses of colonialism and subjection, it shows that the inscription of colonial power on the injured and dehumanised body of the tortured is paralleled by the verbal denigration of these victims, reduced to a state of infantilism or, worse, animality, through verbal reflexes such as animalistic adjectives and tutoiement – a form of speech which consists in the use of the singular form of the second person (you) and which is usually reserved for children and those deemed not worthy of respect. More importantly, it argues that, rejecting both the victim status and the dehumanisation to which his jailers attempt to reduce him, Alleg shapes his own empowering rhetorical strategies, in turn debasing the torturers, ridiculing them, or mocking the colonial myths of chivalry and racial superiority. Instead of the latter, Alleg proposes a discourse of humanism and interracial brotherhood that conquers the violence he endures.

Сравнительный стилистический и жанровый анализ посланий Патриарха Московского Кирилла и архиепископа Кентерберийского Джастина Уэлби

<p>This article presents a comparative stylistic and genre analysis of the messages delivered by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury. The study examines the unique stylistic elements and genre conventions employed in their respective messages, aiming to reveal the underlying rhetorical strategies, thematic emphases, and communicative techniques. Employing qualitative analysis methods, the paper explores how these religious leaders use language and genre to articulate their theological perspectives and address contemporary issues. The analysis underscores the differences and similarities in their approaches, reflecting their distinct cultural, theological, and institutional contexts. By comparing the messages of these prominent figures in the Russian Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary religious communication and its impact on global and local religious communities.</p>