The War of Words
1st Edition
Published on 13. November 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-0-520-29812-5 (ISBN)
Description
When Kenneth Burke conceived his celebrated "Motivorum" project in the 1940s and 1950s, he envisioned it in three parts. Whereas the third part, A Symbolic of Motives, was never finished, A Grammar of Motives (1945) and A Rhetoric of Motives (1950) have become canonical theoretical documents.
A Rhetoric of Motives was originally intended to be a two-part book. Here, at last, is the second volume, the until-now unpublished War of Words, where Burke brilliantly exposes the rhetorical devices that sponsor war in the name of peace. Discouraging militarism during the Cold War even as it catalogues belligerent persuasive strategies and tactics that remain in use today, The War of Words reveals how popular news media outlets can, wittingly or not, foment international tensions and armaments during tumultuous political periods. This authoritative edition includes an introduction from the editors explaining the compositional history and cultural contexts of both The War of Words and A Rhetoric of Motives. The War of Words illuminates the study of modern rhetoric even as it deepens our understanding of post-World War II politics.
A Rhetoric of Motives was originally intended to be a two-part book. Here, at last, is the second volume, the until-now unpublished War of Words, where Burke brilliantly exposes the rhetorical devices that sponsor war in the name of peace. Discouraging militarism during the Cold War even as it catalogues belligerent persuasive strategies and tactics that remain in use today, The War of Words reveals how popular news media outlets can, wittingly or not, foment international tensions and armaments during tumultuous political periods. This authoritative edition includes an introduction from the editors explaining the compositional history and cultural contexts of both The War of Words and A Rhetoric of Motives. The War of Words illuminates the study of modern rhetoric even as it deepens our understanding of post-World War II politics.
Reviews / Votes
"The three coeditors of this posthumous publication-Anthony Burke, Kyle Jensen, andJack Selzer-have done a commendable job assembling this material, which efforts they
narrate fully in their valuable introduction. . . . [The War on Words is a] revealing remnant of Burke's dissertation on motives, a companion volume to his Rhetoric. It is neither a sequel nor a prequel nor a detour nor
a summary; it is something more essential." * European Legacy * "The volume provides Burke's fascinating, mid-career reflections upon his intellectual trajectory. . . .[the editors'] efforts have done scholars a tremendous service." * American Literary History * "Burke provides an account of enduring rhetorical 'devices' prevalent in all aspects of our mediated individual and organizational lives. In so doing, he enables the reader to decode how these devices subversively shape public attitudes toward war often under the guise of peace." * Organization *
More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
10 photos, scattered & baselin
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-29812-5 (9780520298125)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Anthony Burke | Kyle Jensen | Jack Selzer
The War of Words
E-Book
11/2018
1st Edition
University of California Press
€29.49
Available for download
Persons
Anthony Burke is Associate Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Victoria and the son of Kenneth Burke. Burke worked with his father to organize and catalog Kenneth Burke's papers. He now contributes to maintaining the archives associated with Kenneth Burke's cultural legacy.
Kyle Jensen is Associate Professor of English at the University of North Texas. He is the author of Reimagining Process and the coeditor of Abducting Writing Studies.
Jack Selzer is Paterno Family Liberal Arts Professor at Pennsylvania State University. He has authored, coauthored, edited, and coedited many books and articles on Kenneth Burke, including Kenneth Burke in Greenwich Village and Kenneth Burke in the 1930s.
Kyle Jensen is Associate Professor of English at the University of North Texas. He is the author of Reimagining Process and the coeditor of Abducting Writing Studies.
Jack Selzer is Paterno Family Liberal Arts Professor at Pennsylvania State University. He has authored, coauthored, edited, and coedited many books and articles on Kenneth Burke, including Kenneth Burke in Greenwich Village and Kenneth Burke in the 1930s.
Content
Acknowledgments
Editors' Introduction
THE WAR OF WORDS
Introduction
1. The Devices
Of the Devices in General
The Bland Strategy
Shrewd Simplicity
Undo by Overdoing
Yielding Aggressively
Detection
Spokesman
Reversal
Say the Opposite
Spiritualization (the Nostrum)
Making the Connection
Say Anything
Theory of the Devices
2. Scientific Rhetoric
I. "Facts" Are Interpretations
II. Headline-Thinking
III. Selectivity
IV. Reduction ("Gist")
V. Tithing by Tonality
VI. News as Drama
VII. Polls, Forums, Accountancy
3. [Notes toward] The Rhetoric of Bureaucracy
4. [Notes toward] The Rhetorical Situation
Appendix 1. Facsimile of the Outline of "The Rhetorical Situation"
Appendix 2. Foreword (to end on)
Appendix 3. Facsimile of "Foreword (to end on)"
List of Textual Emendations and Explanatory Notes
Index
Editors' Introduction
THE WAR OF WORDS
Introduction
1. The Devices
Of the Devices in General
The Bland Strategy
Shrewd Simplicity
Undo by Overdoing
Yielding Aggressively
Detection
Spokesman
Reversal
Say the Opposite
Spiritualization (the Nostrum)
Making the Connection
Say Anything
Theory of the Devices
2. Scientific Rhetoric
I. "Facts" Are Interpretations
II. Headline-Thinking
III. Selectivity
IV. Reduction ("Gist")
V. Tithing by Tonality
VI. News as Drama
VII. Polls, Forums, Accountancy
3. [Notes toward] The Rhetoric of Bureaucracy
4. [Notes toward] The Rhetorical Situation
Appendix 1. Facsimile of the Outline of "The Rhetorical Situation"
Appendix 2. Foreword (to end on)
Appendix 3. Facsimile of "Foreword (to end on)"
List of Textual Emendations and Explanatory Notes
Index