Electric Rhetoric: Classical Rhetoric, Oralism, and a New Literacy (Digital Communication)

"We are commonly not aware of the complex history of orality and literacy and of the effects of this history on the depths of human consciousness, where electronic communication is now having its deep and as yet not understood effects. Professor Welch's work can give us some of the in-depth understanding we need to be aware of where we really are."
—from the foreword by Walter J. Ong

Computer screens now dominate many workplaces, and televisions are ubiquitous in our homes, waiting rooms, and many public spaces. In Electric Rhetoric, Kathleen E. Welch explores the profound changes in writing and discourse brought about by electronic forms of communication. To this end, she integrates three related strands: the redeployment of Sophistic classical rhetoric; current literacy theories within rhetoric and composition studies, including gender and race issues; and the inherently rhetorical nature of "screens" in relationship to writing and other communication technologies. Throughout the book Welch deals extensively with women's issues, which have played a particularly important role in the history of oralism. Welch's ultimate aim is to help build a movement to change, partly through critical pedagogy, the actions people take in their daily writing and speaking lives.

Kathleen E. Welch is Professor of English at the University of Oklahoma.