Campaign '96: A Functional Analysis of Acclaiming, Attacking, and Defending

by William L. Benoit and P.M. Pier

Benoit, Blaney, and Pier apply the functional theory of political campaign discourse to the 1996 presidential campaign. When a citizen casts a vote, he or she makes a decision about which candidate is preferable. There are only three types of rhetorical strategies for persuading voters to believe a candidate is the better choice: acclaiming or self-praise, attacking or criticizing an opponent, and defending or responding to attacks. As they illustrate,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0275963616
• ISBN13: 9780275963613
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"