The Rhetorical Power of Popular Culture

Can television shows like Modern Family, popular music by performers like Taylor Swift, advertisements for products like Samuel Adams beer, and films such as The Hunger Games help us understand rhetorical theory and criticism?

The Third EditionofThe Rhetorical Power of Popular Culture offers students a step-by-step introduction to rhetorical theory and criticism by focusing on the powerful role popular culture plays in persuading us as to what to believe and how to behave. In every chapter, students are introduced to rhetorical theories, presented with current examples from popular culture thatrelate tothe theory, and guided through demonstrations about how to describe, interpret, and evaluate popular culture texts through rhetorical analysis. Author Deanna Sellnow also provides sample student essays inevery chapter to demonstrate rhetorical criticism in practice.This edition's easy-to-understand approach and range of popular culture examples help students apply rhetorical theory and criticism to their own lives and assigned work.