Broad generalizations about "people today" are a familiar feature of first-year student writing. How Students Write brings a fresh perspective to this perennial observation, using corpus linguistics techniques. This study analyzes sentence-level patterns in student writing to develop an understanding of how students present evidence, draw connections between ideas, relate to their readers, and, ultimately, learn to construct knowledge in their writing. Drawing on both first-year and upper-level student writing, the book examines the discourse of students at different points in their education. It also distinguishes between argumentative and analytic essays to explore the way school genres and assignments shape students' choices. In focusing on sentence-level features such as hedges ("perhaps") and boosters ("definitely"), this study shows how such rhetorical choices work together to open or close opportunities for thoughtful exchanges of ideas. Attention to these features can help instructors foster civil discourse, design effective assignments, and expose and question norms of higher education.

A discussion of the benefits and pitfalls of citizen science-scientific undertakings that make use of public participation and crowd-sourced data collection. James Wynn's timely investigation highlights scientific studies grounded in publicly gathered data and probes the rhetoric these studies employ. Many of these endeavors, such as the widely used SETI@home project, simply draw on the processing power of participants' home computers; others, like the protein-folding game FoldIt, ask users to take a more active role in solving scientific problems. In Citizen Science in the Digital Age: Rhetoric, Science, and Public Engagement, Wynn analyzes the discourse that enables these scientific ventures, as well as the difficulties that arise in communication between scientists and lay people and the potential for misuse of publicly gathered data. Wynn puzzles out the intricacies of these exciting new research developments by focusing on various case studies. He explores the Safecast project, which originated from crowd-sourced mapping for Fukushima radiation dispersal, arguing that evolving technologies enable public volunteers to make concrete, sound, science-based arguments. Additionally, he considers the potential use of citizen science as a method of increasing the public's identification with the scientific community, and contemplates how more collaborative rhetoric might deepen these opportunities for interaction and alignment. Furthermore, he examines ways in which the lived experience of volunteers may be integrated with expert scientific knowledge, and also how this same personal involvement can be used to further policy agendas. Precious few texts explore the intersection of rhetoric, science, and the Internet. Citizen Science in the Digital Age fills this gap, offering a clear, intelligent overview of the topic intended for rhetoric and communication scholars as well as practitioners and administrators in a number of science-based disciplines. With the expanded availability of once inaccessible technologies and computing power to laypeople, the practice of citizen science will only continue to grow. This study offers insight into how-given prudent application and the clear articulation of common goals-citizen science might strengthen the relationships between scientists and laypeople.

No Future in This Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner is a history of the career of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner (1834-1915), specifically focusing on his work from 1896 to 1915. Drawing on the copious amount of material from Turner's speeches, editorial, and open and private letters, Andre E. Johnson tells a story of how Turner provided rhetorical leadership during a period in which America defaulted on many of the rights and privileges gained for African Americans during Reconstruction. Unlike many of his contemporaries during this period, Turner did not opt to proclaim an optimistic view of race relations. Instead, Johnson argues that Turner adopted a prophetic persona of a pessimistic prophet who not only spoke truth to power but, in so doing, also challenged and pushed African Americans to believe in themselves. At this time in his life, Turner had no confidence in American institutions or that the American people would live up to the promises outlined in their sacred documents. While he argued that emigration was the only way for African Americans to retain their ""personhood"" status, he also would come to believe that African Americans would never emigrate to Africa. He argued that many African Americans were so oppressed and so stripped of agency because they were surrounded by continued negative assessments of their personhood that belief in emigration was not possible. Turner's position limited his rhetorical options, but by adopting a pessimistic prophetic voice that bore witness to the atrocities African Americans faced, Turner found space for his oratory, which reflected itself within the lament tradition of prophecy.

Writing begins with unconscious feelings of something that insistently demands to be responded to, acted upon, or elaborated into a new entity. Writers make things that matter-treaties, new species, software, and letters to the editor-as they interact with other humans of all kinds. As they write, they also continually remake themselves. In The Animal Who Writes, Cooper considers writing as a social practice and as an embodied behavior that is particularly important to human animals. The author argues that writing is an act of composing enmeshed in nature-cultures and is homologous with technology as a mode of making.

Martin Diederich develops a professional concept for the artistic design of free weddings and free funeral services. For the first time, psychological, sociological, art and communication theoretical technical fundamentals for the profession of 'free speaker' are comprehensibly described and linked to practical work. For all who are interested in deepening and expanding their professionalism as wedding and funeral orators, the book provides an overview of the technical dimensions of the profession and its practice.

Across national and cultural borders, the archetype of the fool has played a significant role in how communities interpret and ascribe identity. As Charles Campbell and Johan Cilliers remind us, the Christian preacher, tasked with delivering a paradoxical gospel, is a fool. In a delicate exploration with enlightening results, Preaching Fools uses a diverse representation of fools and foolish actions to show how modern preaching is inseparable from the folly of the cross. Campbell and Cilliers walk the fine line between the ugliness and beauty of the gospel and challenge readers toward a deeper engagement with its unsettling message.

Querying Consent examines the ways in which the concept of consent is used to map and regulate sexual desire, gender relationships, global positions, technological interfaces, relationships of production and consumption, and literary and artistic interactions. From philosophy to literature, psychoanalysis to the art world, the contributors to Querying Consent address the most uncomfortable questions about consent today. Grounded in theoretical explorations of the entanglement of consent and subjectivity across a range of textual, visual, multi- and digital media, Querying Consent considers the relationships between consent and agency before moving on to trace the concept's outcomes through a range of investigations of the mutual implication of personhood and self-ownership.

With emphasis on public speaking as a means for social justice, Empowering Public Speaking helps students develop the communication skills necessary to successfully effect change. Readers learn about public speaking as a means of personal, social, economic, and cultural power, and how communication shapes social relations, identity development, and public awareness. Through examples and discussions, the book demonstrates how public speaking is a significant act that inspires social transformation. Over the course of 12 chapters, students learn how communication creates our social reality and shapes interpersonal relationships. They discover the importance of critical, compassionate listening, careful attention to power, and adapting speeches to a specific time, place, and purpose. Dedicated chapters address the craft required for effective public speaking, the responsibility of finding and sharing reputable sources of information, and strategies for delivering an impassioned address. The closing chapters discuss speaker accountability, the constant evolution of public speaking, and its ability to empower.

Deliver compelling presentations in any context, from a meeting with colleagues to a client pitch or keynote address. Whenever you talk to anyone, you are presenting yourself and your ideas to an audience. You are giving a presentation. This could be in person, on the phone, or via videoconference. In any case, both your content and your delivery contribute to the vitality and effectiveness of your message. Too many speakers fail to engage their audience and get their ideas across. Don't be one of them! Practical Presentation Skills will help you master the three fundamental elements responsible for a presentation's success: authenticity, focus, and strength.

Public speaking is an art, and some of the most effective communicators in history have been artists. Think of Steve Jobs, John F Kennedy, Dale Carnegie, Martin Luther King, Jr and even President Barack Obama all public figures known for their eloquence when delivering a speech. A perfectly delivered speech is something that takes time, practice, and knowledge. This book is teeming with resources for public speaking, whether you are looking to get over your fear of speaking to a group of people or are running for political office and need an edge on your competition. According to The Phobia Clinic, fear of public speaking ranks among Americans top dreads, surpassing fear of illness, flying, terrorism, and often the fear of death itself. It is no wonder delivering a speech can seem like a large hurdle for many people. Even the most brilliant ideas have to be communicated with poise and enthusiasm or the message will be lost due to poor delivery. You will discover how to overcome public speaking fright and phobia by being prepared, rehearsed, and ready for a number of unforeseen circumstances. You will learn how to write a memorable speech and how to impact and persuade your audience. This book also includes tips on understanding your audience, holding their attention, knowing what to talk about and what not to include, organising your speech, perfecting your timing, handling Q&A sessions, and much more. You will also grasp how to put together informative, educational, and well-designed visual aids, including electronic presentations. The book will also show you how you can gauge your audience s reaction and tailor the remainder of your presentation to have maximum appeal to the group you are speaking to. There is no need to worry with this book in your arsenal: You will learn everything you need to know to deliver an expertly written speech with poise and confidence.