The Rhetorical Power of Popular Culture
Considering Mediated Texts

Fourth Edition

Deanna D. Sellnow - Clemson University, USA
Thomas G. Endres

January 2024 | 376 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Can television shows like Stranger Things, 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 Fourth Edition of The 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 that relate to the theory, and guided through demonstrations about how to describe, interpret, and evaluate popular culture texts through rhetorical analysis. Authors Deanna Sellnow and Thomas Endres provide sample student essays in every 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.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781071851524	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $91.00	Bookstore Price: $72.80
ISBN: 9781071851548	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $156.00	Bookstore Price: $124.80

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Chapter 1. What Is Popular Culture and Why Study It?

What Is Popular Culture?

What Are Popular Culture Texts?

Why Study Popular Culture?

Conducting Rhetorical Analyses of Popular Culture Texts

Chapter 2. Expanding the Rhetorical Tradition

The Nature of Rhetoric and Rhetorical Criticism

Evolution of the Rhetorical Tradition in Western Societies

Conducting a Neo-Aristotelian Analysis

New (Contemporary and Postmodern) Rhetorical Approaches

Chapter 3. A Narrative Perspective

Narrative Paradigm

Elements of Storytelling

Narratives in New Media

Conducting a Narrative Analysis

Chapter 4. A Dramatistic Perspective

The Dramatistic Life Cycle

Cluster Analysis

The Pentad

Conducting a Dramatistic Analysis

Chapter 5. A Symbolic Convergence Perspective

Symbolic Convergence Theory

Fantasy Theme Analysis

Rhetorical Visions and Master Analogues

Life Cycles, Types, and Cues

Conducting a Symbolic Convergence Analysis

Chapter 6. A Neo-Marxist Perspective

Ideology and Hegemony

Materialism and Economic Metaphors

Sites of Struggle

Conducting a Neo-Marxist Analysis

Chapter 7. Feminist Perspectives

Hegemony

Sites of Struggle

Waves of Feminism

Feminist Perspectives

Conducting a Feminist Analysis

Chapter 8. A Music Perspective: The Illusion of Life

Music As Rhetoric

The Illusion of Life: Virtual Time and Virtual Experience

Conducting an Illusion of Life Analysis

Chapter 9. Visual Perspectives

History and Nature of Visual Communication

Visual Theory Perspectives

Visual Pleasure Theory

Conducting a Visual Pleasure Analysis

Chapter 10. Media-Centered Perspectives

Media History and Evolving Insights

Media-Centered Theories

Conducting a Media-Centered Perspective Analysis

Appendix. Writing a Popular Culture Rhetorical Essay

It provides a practical and relatable approach to Rhetorical Criticism theories. The text is approachable for students with little knowledge of rhetoric. Perfect for new students of rhetoric.

Mr Steven Farrar

Communication Dept, Utah Valley University

March 21, 2025

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Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION

New co-author Thomas G. Endres brings fresh new perspectives and insights.
New Learning Outcomes have been added to the beginning of each chapter.
Expanded treatment of diversity, equity, and inclusion integrated throughout with examples and applications.
New "Considering Social Media" feature in each chapter encourage critical thinking about how the rhetorical functions of social media permeate our lived experiences today.
Updated research expands on the coverage of theories throughout each chapter.
New and expanded examples of popular television programs, social media, films, advertisements, and music illustrate concepts and theories throughout the text.
New student sample essays have been added on topics including the Terraforming Mars board game and the Ocoee massacre documentary.

KEY FEATURES

Each chapter introduces a rhetorical theory, explores familiar examples from popular culture, and demonstrates how to describe, interpret, and evaluate today’s texts through rhetorical analysis.
The author walks students through the steps necessary to write analyses of various forms of popular culture, including stage musicals, film, television, popular music, and advertising.
End-of-chapter Student Essay boxes and Challenge exercises get readers involved in the hands-on process of popular cultural criticism.
Applying What You’ve Learned boxes embedded in each chapter foster critical thinking and retention of key concepts.

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The Rhetorical Power of Popular Culture
Considering Mediated Texts

Sage College Publishing