Location
University of Windsor
Document Type
Keynote
Keywords
argumentation, audience, reception, rhetoric, visual argumentation, focus group, noninteractive audience.
Start Date
18-5-2016 9:00 AM
End Date
21-5-2016 5:00 PM
Abstract
In rhetoric and argumentation research studies of empirical audiences are rare. Most studies are speaker- or text focussed. However, new media and new forms of communication make it harder to distinguish between speaker and audience. The active involvement of users and audiences is more important than ever before. Therefore, this paper argues that rhetorical research should reconsider the understanding, conceptualization and examination of the rhetorical audience. From mostly understanding audiences as theoretical constructions that are examined textually and speculatively, we should give more attention to empirical explorations of actual audiences and users.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Included in
Studying Rhetorical Audiences
University of Windsor
In rhetoric and argumentation research studies of empirical audiences are rare. Most studies are speaker- or text focussed. However, new media and new forms of communication make it harder to distinguish between speaker and audience. The active involvement of users and audiences is more important than ever before. Therefore, this paper argues that rhetorical research should reconsider the understanding, conceptualization and examination of the rhetorical audience. From mostly understanding audiences as theoretical constructions that are examined textually and speculatively, we should give more attention to empirical explorations of actual audiences and users.
