The Rhetoric of Western Thought: From the Mediterranean World to the Global Setting

Building upon a rich legacy, the new edition of The Rhetoric of Western Thought provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of rhetoric from its inception in the ancient world, to its present day expression in contemporary practice and scholarship.

As with previous editions, The Rhetoric of Western Thought, has been revised to enhance its traditional strengths― by expanding coverage, by refining pedagogy, by updating treatment, and by improving organization, clarity and readability.

Changes to the 10th edition include:

• A greatly augmented Chapter 10: “American Experimentations with Rhetoric, 1785-1930.” Where previously the chapter centered on John Quincy Adams, now it focuses on all the approaches to rhetoric that emerged in the U.S. during the 19th century.
• An answer to the persistent question, “what 19th-century social and theoretical trends produced present-day courses in composition, public speaking, and rhetorical theory?”
• New contributing essays by Sandra Sarkela on “Mercy Otis Warren’s Contribution to the Rhetorical Tradition” and Theresa Donfrio’s essay on the rhetorical controversies surrounding the memorial planned for the site of the 9/11 terrorist attack.