Rhetoric is one of the Western world's oldest disciplines. From ancient Greece and Rome to the modern era, the art of persuasion has been used, discussed, and debated for over twenty-four hundred years. In recent times, scholars in such areas as philosophy, literary theory, and communications have renewed their attention to rhetoric as a way of understanding many areas of culture and social life. And now the ideal reference work is available to further enhance the study of this fascinating field.

Providing a comprehensive survey of the latest research—as well as the foundational teachings in this broad field—the Encyclopedia of Rhetoric features nearly 200 original, signed articles by leading scholars. It synthesizes a vast amount of knowledge from classics, philosophy, literature, literary theory, cultural studies, speech and communications, and discusses basic concepts and themes throughout rhetoric.

As the most wide ranging reference work of its kind—combining theory, history, and practice, with a special emphasis on public speaking, performance, and communication—the Encyclopedia is an invaluable resource to a wide audience. Numerous cross-references, bibliographies, and synoptic and topical indexes further enhance the book and make it the definitive reference work on this powerful discipline.

• The most comprehensive, up-to-date resource of its kind
• Balanced coverage of classical rhetoric and the rhetorical turns in contemporary critical thought
• Strong focus on public speaking, performance, and communication