Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric

The most striking element of Foss, Foss, and Trapp's Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric is the way in which the writers enmesh the autobiographical with the rhetorical. Rather than taking the typical approach of featuring a timeline for the development of rhetorical history,the authors begin each chapter with a detailed and fascinating narration of life experiences that shaped and constrained the voices of each theorist. Students are invited to "hear" definitions and concepts within the soundstage of each individual theorist. Rather than remaining as abstract and impersonal thinkers, the featured figures become full-fledged characters with varied and rich contextual dramas shaping their perspectives on the art and philosophy of symbolic creation. Students are encouraged to probe the styles and stratgies of each theorist; they become engaged in the exciting, "continuing conversation" known as rhetorical theory.