The Rhetoric of Social Intervention

Authors Susan Opt and Mark Gring present the first-ever thorough exploration and discussion of the rhetoric of social intervention model [RSI] (initially conceived by rhetorical theorist William R. Brown) for today’s students, scholars, and professionals. This unique communication-based model, compatible with traditional and non-traditional critical approaches, provides readers with a systemic framework for interpreting, analyzing, critiquing, and intervening in social and cultural change from a rhetorical perspective. It offers an easily accessible tool for critically reflecting upon the ongoing process of rhetorical intervention in people’s interpretations of needs, relationships, and worldview.

Readers will learn to use the RSI model to (1) reflect on their own symbolic natures, (2) identify rhetorical trends that generate social change, (3) critique social interventions, (4) initiate social interventions, and (5) anticipate the side effects of interventional choices.

The Rhetoric of Social Intervention: An Introduction includes these key features:

A detailed, step-by-step approach to help readers develop their skills in analyzing the communication patterns of social interventions and writing their analysis as a critical essay
Examples and exercises to promote an interactive, transformative learning environment and encourage the development of critical thinking skills
Service learning activities in every chapter that can be completed as individual, group, or class projects
Review questions, exercises, and an “Under the Lens” feature in every chapter to help readers deepen their understanding
Student and scholar essays that demonstrate the model’s critical application

Intended Audience:
Ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in Rhetorical Criticism, Rhetorical Theory, Persuasion, Public Address, Social Movements, and Advocacy Communication, the book’s focus on criticism as a tool for interpreting social change makes it an excellent supplement for courses in other communication sub-specialties, such as public relations and advertising, and in related disciplines such as marketing, sociology, political science, management, and not-for-profit management. The book also offers communication practitioners a useful guide for the strategic planning of interventions.

Author Biography

Susan Opt (Ph.D. & M.A., The Ohio State University; B.F.A., Wright State University) is chair and associ­ate professor in the Communication Department at Salem College. She has experience teaching a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses including communication theory, communication re­search, intercultural communication, public relations, public speaking, organizational communication, journalism, and special topics such as the rhetoric of social intervention. Opt has three main areas of re­search: social/cultural change from a rhetorical perspective, college students’ perceptions of HIV/AIDS, and the relationship of Myers-Briggs personality types to communication variables. Her work has been published in journals such as Communication Quarterly, Journal of Radio Studies, Journal of Psychology, and the New Jersey Journal of Communication. She has also authored or co-authored four book chap­ters. Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Opt worked in the publishing industry as a journalist, type­setter, and book production editor. Dr. Mark A. Gring (Ph.D., The Ohio State University; M.A. & B.S., University of Texas at Austin) is the graduate adviser and Associate professor of Communication Studies at Texas Tech University. He has taught courses in rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, persuasion, communication theory, argumentation and debate, and communication pedagogy at the graduate and undergraduate levels. His research foci include the analysis of religious discourse that brings about sociopolitical change (in the United States and in Latin America), the epistemic nature of rhetorical activity, the application of ideological assump­tions to the mass media, and the pedagogy of public speaking. His most recent work has been an analy­sis of post-9/11 sermons and their response to terrorism and war. His work has appeared in journals such as Rhetoric and Public Affairs, World Communication Journal, Journalism History, Basic Course Annual, Journal of Communication and Religion.