A creative, innovative approach to the process of rhetorical criticism! Our everyday experiences entail the use of symbols, both our own and those of others. We engage in "the process of thinking about symbols, discovering how they work and why they affect us, and choosing to communicate in particular ways as a result of the options they present. This process is called rhetorical criticism." Foss guides readers to an awareness and understanding of what rhetoric is and how it is used to create reality. She helps readers to become more discriminating in explaining, investigating, and understanding symbols and in devising their responses to them. This valuable book will help readers hone their abilities as communicators and also as audience members.

Providing fully developed rhetorical theories from feminist perspectives, this book offers coherent, systematic overviews of complex, large bodies of work and ideas relevant to rhetoric and communication. The book presents theories developed from the work of nine feminist theorists, each from diverse standpoints demonstrating the diversity of both feminism and feminist rhetorical theories - Chris Kramarae, Bell Hooks, Gloria Anzaldua, Mary Daly, Starhawk, Paula Gunn Allen, Trinh T Minh-ha, Sally Miller Gearhart and Sonia Johnson. The resulting theories differ substantially from traditional rhetorical theories, and will encourage scholars to rethink many traditional rhetorical constructs.

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Product Description: An outstanding review and analysis of major thinkers! Thorough in scope and highly accessible, this volume introduces readers to the thinkers who have exerted a profound influence on contemporary rhetorical theory. The brief biographical sketches locate the theorists in time and place, showing how life experiences influenced perspectives on rhetorical thought...read more

Product Description: A new context for the study of women as communicators.