The Politics of Appalachian Rhetoric

by Amanda E. Hayes

In exploring the ways that Appalachian people speak and write, Amanda E. Hayes raises the importance of knowing and respecting communication styles within a marginalized culture. Diving deep into the region’s historical roots—especially those of the Scotch-Irish and their influence on her own Appalachian Ohio—Hayes reveals a rhetoric with its own unique logic, utility, and poetry. Hayes also considers the headwinds against Appalachian rhetoric, notably ideologies about poverty and the biases of the school system. She connects these to challenges that Appalachian students face in the classroom and pinpoints pedagogical and structural approaches for change.  Throughout, Hayes blends conventional scholarship with autobiography, storytelling, and language, illustrating Appalachian rhetoric’s validity as a means of creating and sharing knowledge.

228 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2018

Reviews

[Katie Beth Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never felt so close to an academic book. Seeing my language, the dialects of my people stitched out in such a clear, thoughtful, and engaging way made me so happy. It’s always nice to be reaffirmed with your own research by reading the work of others who do similar research.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read for anyone whether or not you belong to Appalachia. I will say it is like slogging through mud, you will often only read a page and then need to sit and think on it for a while to let it fully absorb. I'm sure I didn't get all of it either but there were so many passages that had me yelling YES (much to my husband and cat's dismay).

This is clearly a dissertation but lord is it an important one, looking at how Appalachia has gotten to the point it is today and all the trappings that come with it.