The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether a paradigm shift is occurring or has occurred in technical writing textbooks since 1994. This study will further the work of Jerold J. Jeansonne, who chronicled the paradigm shift in technical writing textbooks from 1900 to 1994. Using product and process orientation guidelines, this thesis will examine several technical writing textbooks produced after 1994. The findings will then be calculated to determine the present status of the paradigm shift. The thesis will also propose that the technical writing paradigm shift mirrors the paradigm shift in academic writing textbooks. To make this connection, the rhetoric of Aristotle will be employed to show that textbooks, whether they are academic or technical, are essentially argumentative. In light of this, particular attention will be given to Aristotle's characteristics of artistic argument: rational, ethical, and emotional appeal.

<p>Abstract</p><p>Chained Thoughts Broken by Chains of Thought</p><p>An Analysis of the Narrative Style Used in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own</p><p>The purpose of this essay is to analyse the narrative style used in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own in order to show in which ways it supports and reinforces the author’s arguments in her quest for a more equal society. One of the most prominent stylistic means applied by Woolf is her ‘train of thought’, linking one reflection to another like wagons in a railway convoy or like loops in a chain (therefore also sometimes referred to as ‘chain of thought’ in dictionaries). By examining how different rhetorical devices are applied within this train or chain of thought and in which ways these strategies are linked to the main elements of persuasion (ethos, pathos and logos) in Aristotelian Rhetoric, I have found that one of Woolf’s central themes - the resentment against confinement and the advocacy of androgyny or mixed-gendered thinking - is mirrored in her style. It reflects the author’s call to resist society’s restrictions by its unrestricted combination of different rhetorical strategies; this mixture of stylistic, partly gender-neutral devices helps her to create a common ground where she can reach and appeal to both genders in a very effective and innovative way, thus enabling her chain of thoughts to break some of our chained thoughts.</p><p>Ellen Johansson</p><p>Engelska C</p>

Abstract Chained Thoughts Broken by Chains of Thought An Analysis of the Narrative Style Used in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own The purpose of this essay is to analyse the narrative style used in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own in order to show in which ways it supports and reinforces the author’s arguments in her quest for a more equal society. One of the most prominent stylistic means applied by Woolf is her ‘train of thought’, linking one reflection to another like wagons in a railway convoy or like loops in a chain (therefore also sometimes referred to as ‘chain of thought’ in dictionaries). By examining how different rhetorical devices are applied within this train or chain of thought and in which ways these strategies are linked to the main elements of persuasion (ethos, pathos and logos) in Aristotelian Rhetoric, I have found that one of Woolf’s central themes - the resentment against confinement and the advocacy of androgyny or mixed-gendered thinking - is mirrored in her style. It reflects the author’s call to resist society’s restrictions by its unrestricted combination of different rhetorical strategies; this mixture of stylistic, partly gender-neutral devices helps her to create a common ground where she can reach and appeal to both genders in a very effective and innovative way, thus enabling her chain of thoughts to break some of our chained thoughts. Ellen Johansson Engelska C

This study explores the conceptual relationship between design aesthetics and Aristotelian rhetoric in the context of information visualisation. Aesthetics and rhetorical theory are traditionally studied as separate discourses, but conceptual links between these fields are identified, specifically in terms of communicative goals and strategies. This study therefore compares selected theories on design aesthetics and Aristotelian rhetoric in information visualisation in order to ascertain whether a combined framework may be feasible. Although information visualisation is traditionally practiced from software engineering disciplines, this study frames the practice within the broader field of information design. The democratisation of the field of information visualisation and the emerging practices that emphasise the aesthetic value of visualisations is explored. In order to understand what is meant by the term ‘aesthetic’, a variety of both classical and contemporary views on aesthetics theory is investigated. Even though the term ‘aesthetic’ is not defined, a broad understanding is created by identifying the main conceptual themes in discourse. A specific focus is placed on understanding aesthetics in a design context, since there are many misconceptions about ‘aesthetics’ in this context. The idea that aesthetics relates to the communication of artifacts is explored, which provides a point of departure in linking aesthetics and rhetorical theory. The communicative nature of information visualisations is thus explored in relation to visual rhetorical theory. Aristotle’s three rhetorical appeals, namely logos, pathos and ethos, form the backbone of the visual rhetorical analysis of visualisation artifacts. The aesthetic and rhetorical theories explored throughout the study are compared by applying them to Charles Joseph Minard’s seminal information visualisation of Napoleon’s march to Moscow. This comparative analysis considers the traditional divide between aesthetics and rhetorical theory but identifies sufficient conceptual links between the discourses to suggest that a combined aesthetic-rhetorical framework for information visualisation may indeed be practical. Lastly, the wider implications and potential value of such a combined framework is considered within a broader design context. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Visual Arts / unrestricted

Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit gewinnt deutlich an gesellschaftlicher und politischer Relevanz. Evidente naturwissenschaftliche und geisteswissenschaftliche Forschungen belegen die Notwendigkeit zum Handeln, Umsteuern und sofortigen Veränderungen. Dennoch ist Nachhaltigkeit fortlaufend mit Vorbehalten, Widerständen und Einwänden unterschiedlicher Art und Ausmaßes begleitet. Neben der hohen Kunst der Rhetorik kommt immer wieder Kampfrhetorik zur Anwendung, um evidente Forschungsergebnisse und belegbare Fakten auszuhebeln. Anhand der verschiedenen Themen der Nachhaltigkeit wird herausgearbeitet, wie für eine Transformation zur Nachhaltigkeit argumentiert und souverän mit Einwänden umgegangen werden kann. Dabei folgt die hohe Kunst der Kommunikation dem Prinzip Argumentation – Erwiderung – Erwiderung der Erwiderung. Es geht darum, auf selektiv gewählte, jedoch häufige Einwände so souverän wie möglich zu reagieren, gekonnt zu kontern und damit Nachhaltigkeit in der Argumentation stark zu machen. Diese Zusammenstellung bietet einen kompakten rhetorischen Leitfaden im Kontext der Entwicklung zur Nachhaltigkeit. / The topic of sustainability is clearly gaining social and political relevance. Evidence from the natural sciences and humanities demonstrates the need for action, change and immediate transformation. Nevertheless, sustainability is continuously accompanied by reservations, resistance and objections of various kinds and degrees. Battle rhetoric is repeatedly used to undermine evidenced research results and provable facts. Based on the various topics of sustainability, the paper shows how to argue for a transformation towards sustainability and how to confidently deal with objections. In doing so, the fine art of communication follows the principle of argumentation - reply - reply to the reply. The aim is to respond and counter to selectively chosen, but common objections as confidently as possible, and thus, to make sustainability strong in reasoning. This compilation offers a compact rhetorical guide in the context of the development towards sustainability.

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