Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice

by Sonja K. Foss (Editor)

Book by Sonja K. Foss

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Literary Criticism, Grad School, Writing, Read For School, Textbooks

Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Isabelle Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a school textbook, pretty easy to read and informative

[Håvard Bamle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My low rating is possibly due to my approaching the book as a theoretical work and not a textbook. However, I understand now why Eagleton has called the study of rhetoric in American universities "the practice of teaching freshmen where to insert semicolons."

Although there is no instruction on the use of semicolons in this book, it's step-by-step breakdown of the process of rhetorical criticism is so reductive and simplistic that it overlooks everything that makes rhetoric interesting as a distinct field of operation. Equating "rhetoric" with "communication" does little to elucidate the applicability of rhetorical criticism. In the final chapter called "generative criticism", the author hints that once one is more experienced as a critic, one may begin criticism with the discovery of an interesting object, rather than a predetermined critical approach. I should hope that this would be the goal of anyone picking up the study of rhetorical criticism, but I suppose that would be overestimating the average American college freshman, particularly if rhetorics is an obligatory introductory course.

[Brian Fitzroy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was such a terrible book. I say this despite absolutely loving all things rhetoric. Prof. Foss might know some rhetorical criticism, but she doesn't know how to edit. She used student essays as examples. Why not professionally done essays? Probably because not many people actually trust her skill and knowledge. She had an essay of her own. And man, it was bad! It was academese, had typos, grammatical errors, etc. And she used it (her own work) as an example. Not, no way I can give this more than 1 star. A rhetorical critic she is not. A writer she is not. A professional—no way.

[Nicholle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used a friend's copy for a class and then after the class was over I bought myself a copy. I thought it was very insightful, easily explained the various types of rhetorical criticism, and included great example essays.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very helpful for understanding communication theories and how to write an analysis using these theories. There are several example essays as well that are helpful.

[Carlos Apodaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative narrative and feminist criticism chapters. The close reading methodology is also really informative for artifact meta analysis

[amelia! · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY BIBLEEE

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes various methods of rhetorical criticism. I read it in college and I'm the kind of student who reads books from cover to cover even if I'm not required to. Our class had to use a few of the methods to critique speeches, works of art and later I wrote a huge paper critiquing a movie. It was a good class and a thorough book. I must have had an earlier edition.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent treatment and insightful overview of rhetorical criticism. In this book Foss surveys various methods of criticism (such as metaphor, style, cluster, genre, and ideological criticism), providing a readable techne for both experienced and inexperienced rhetoricians. Clear and insightful content, useful examples and illustrations.

[The Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An efficient overview.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of rhetorical criticism. I like the examples provided, also.

[Ashley Lauren]

Haven't started this one for class yet.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a textbook for a communication course I took. Not very useful unless you want to analyze rhetoric.