Overview

Winner, Speech Communication Association Award for Distinguished Scholarship This is a book that, almost singlehandedly, freed scholars from the narrow constraints of a single critical paradigm and created a new era in the study of public discourse. Its original publication in 1965 created a spirited controversy. Here Edwin Black examines the assumptions and principles underlying neo-Aristotelian theory and suggests an alternative approach to criticism, centering around the concept of the ""rhetorical transaction."" This new edition, containing Black's new introduction, will enable students and scholars to secure a copy of one of the most influential books ever written in the field.

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9780299075545

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Reviews

Black set out to rattle the foundations of what he called traditional 'neo-Aristotelian' criticism, and he went to his task with spirit. The result is both articulate and provocative. -- Speech Teacher

Both stimulating and disturbing ... Mr. Black's provocative book has stressed some genuine shortcomings in traditional theory and criticism and has raised some questions which will not soon be answered ... every serious student of public address should study this examination of rhetorical criticism. -Journal of Communications | Black set out to rattle the foundations of what he called traditional 'neo-Aristotelian' criticism, and he went to his task with spirit. The result is both articulate and provocative. -Speech Teacher

Author Information

Edwin Black was professor of communication arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the co-author, with Harry P. Kerr, of American Issues (1961). He was the co-editor, with Lloyd F. Bitzer, of The Prospect of Rhetoric (1971).

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