Rhetorical criticism as moral action

Evidencing moral claims: The activist rhetorical critic's first task

“…Furthermore, rhetorical critics, even those who would boldly claim moral authority by cloaking themselves in academic garb, or by mystifying their arguments in the obtuse jargon of the academy, may be no more ethical in their communication than are used car salespersons, politicians, journalists, or televangilists. Despite this, however, a critic's moral engagement with the discourse studied emphasizes the importance of the critic's character in the discussion of the social method, and in the actual "doing" of criticism (Klumpp & Hollihan, 1989). Because the critic's language in and of itself conveys moral choice, the critic cannot escape responsibility for the morality of his/her response to the discourse.…”

“…The act of criticism involves moral choice, and reveals the moral force of the discourse under study. Critics, merely by doing their work, spark a moral debate, for the very act of rhetorical criticism places the values of the social culture at risk (Klumpp & Hollihan, 1989). …”

“…Criticism must be appreciative in some sense to be criticism, and when the critic appreciates she or he tacitly accepts the rhetor's moral position (Klumpp & Hollihan, 1989). Critics who ignore the moral implications of rhetoric thus perform support for the mystery that preserves the social order.…”

The “Beer Summit” and What's Brewing: Narratives, Networks, and Metaphors as Rhetorical Confinement in the Age of Obama

“…Glassman, 1973;Klumpp & Hollihan, 1989). The approach considers how networks influence language use, rhetorical actors and audiences, and visual communication within a discourse.…”

The Flood Myth in the Age of Global Climate Change

“…Scholars have long demonstrated the power of rhetorical form to organize human thought and motivate individual and collective action (Klumpp & Hollihan 1989). A prominent area of focus for such research explores myths in popular discourse and media (Osborn, 1967(Osborn, , 1977Ritter, 1980;Wolfe, 2008).…”