Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice

I have used Sonja Foss' RHETORICAL CRITICISM: EXPLORATION & PRACTICES as a textbook for my Rhetorical Criticism class in the past three consecutive years. Among many other choices of textbooks, I find this one to have more strength and most suited for my students and my teaching style. First, the layout of the book is very easy for students to approach. It proceeds from traditional to current modes of rhetorical criticism, which gives the reader a sense of theoretical development in the field of rhetoric and communication. It covers both the mainstream as well as marginalized ideologies and frameworks in rhetorical formulations. Second, for each mode of rhetorical criticism, Sonja Foss offers a lucid explanation of the rhetorical concepts, the purpose of the critiques, and steps to follow in writing a critical essay. While the procedure tends to be prescriptive, it also allows great flexibility in the writing process. Students like this approach, for it gives them a sense of direction as to how to analyze sysmbols and rhetorical acts as well as allowing them to be more critical and creative. Third, what students and I like most are the sample articles following each mode of criticism. These articles, written by scholars as well as Foss' former students, help the reader understand in depth rhetorical concepts and apply theoretical models to symbolic practices and real life situations. Finally, this textbook does not only teach our students rhetorical concepts and modes of critical inquiry, it also allows students to make a close connection between rhetoric and their real life experiences. By the time we finish each mode of criticism, students are all eager to write their own essays and find the process very meaningful and illuminating. In sum, I highly recommend Sonja Foss' RHETORICAL CRITICISM: EXPLORATION & PRACTICES as a college textbook for rhetorical crititcism class. I am sure once you start using the book, you do not want to change to another one.

I have used "Rhetorical Criticism" in my classes for over two years. The book is a great resource for all students of rhetoric, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The organization of the book is it greatest asset for students of human communciation: a clear explanation of the method, followed by sample essays both by undergraduate students and expert scholars of rhetoric.

Foss entices the reader to explore a variety of dimensions of the analytic activity known as rhetorical criticism. She captures the ingenity and imagination of seeing the world through a rhetorical prism of interacting symbols. Ranging from the analysis of images to music to language instrumental in shaping political discourse, the text provides an extraordinary guide to viewing the symbols that compel our public and private interests. The strength of her approach is exemplified in the sytematic procedures she offers to begin the practice and appreciation of criticism. Novices are given clear steps to follow and veterans can find new ways of examining artifacts and generating questions based on the goals of their inquiry. I give this text my highest recommendation; Foss'examination of artifacts and reseach questions continues to generate lively classroom discussions and ignites the imaginations of students who may not be eager initially to undertake the tasks of rhetorical criticism.

This is a MUST HAVE addition to the library of anyone seriously interested in learning about qualitative research in the form of rhetorical criticism. Not only is the writing reader friendly, but Foss gives the student or practitioner a template to the differing froms of critical approaches (i.e. Kenneth Burke's cluster and pentadic methods, feminist criticism, narrative, metaphoric and ideological criticisms to name a few), but she then provides complete sample papers of each method. Finally, Foss lists additional samples for further study. This book was the primary, overwhelming BEST source of studying and understanding criticism as a qualitative tool in research and every-day interpretation of the growing number of messages that bombarded me as a graduate student in mass communication. As a PR/Marketing professional it lends itself as a valid source of planning strategic campaigns or attempting to understand the real nature of interpersonal and media messages I receive everyday. This book is a blessing.