History of the Journal
The Journal of Communication Theory was published in 1991 in the United States. It is among the quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Wiley on publishers on behalf of the international communication association in the United States. The journal was made to post theoretical essays, research articles, topic reviews related to communication studies, and academic books related to communication theory. Many academicians and researchers have used the journal to write their essays since 1991 up to date. Thomas Hanitzsch as the current chief editor of the article, since then its impact factor has been increasing until 2018 when it was recorded as 3.753.
The Current Focus of Journal’s Contents
The communication theory has been instrumental, especially in research institutions and academic research on communication studies and concepts. The journal focuses on topic reviews related to communication concepts and ideas, research articles, book reviews, and other work about communication studies and social sciences. There are specific criteria that should be followed when publishing essays regarding the methodological or topic approach of the published article. There must be a direct connection between the topic of the essays and the journal, or it must directly contribute to the advancement and development of communication theory before it is published.
The communication theory journal has recognized and revealed that the approaches to explication and development are diverse, and none of the approaches are guaranteed or privileged. When publishing articles, the staffs usually process the manuscripts promptly and professionally without coercion or undue influence by any third party. Some associate editors ensure the content matches the communication studies or is related to social sciences before expediting reviews and accessing the quality.
The Significance of the Journal to the Rhetoric Ph.D.
The journal is significant to a rhetoric Ph.D. because it gives them a framework to critically think about their reading or writing choices. In addition, it teaches people how to employ rhetorical skills and tools to improve their communication and convince their audiences to agree and accept their perspectives. The journal will help the Rhetoric Ph.D. understand the nature and characteristics of the human being (Botan 77). It allows one to understand human beings, their families, communities, close associates, and media. If a rhetoric Ph.D. wants to study people’s behaviors, they should focus on learning communication theories. A Rhetoric Ph.D. should concentrate on the theory to understand functions, forms, producers, venues, critics, effects, and discourse audiences.
The journal will provide the Rhetoric Ph.D. with an advanced way of considering when examining messages or before making any judgments. By studying the journal, one will understand the essence of considering context to understand the exact message portrayed by any writer or whoever is speaking. Furthermore, the journal equips the Rhetoric Ph.D. with the art of convincing and persuading along with logic and good grammar while applying discourse skills. In the process, one can develop skills and knowledge about influencing either by speaking or writing since any form of communication must be persuasive for it to be effective.
Three Representatives Articles From Each Decade of the Journal and Contributions and Developments of Each Article
1990-2000
In this decade, an article was written by Lyne in 1998, addressing the philosophical approaches and general principles of communication theory. The article addressed all approaches and rhetoric, a strategy that better communication (Lyne 153). She addressed how to employ rhetoric strategies to convince people and communicate effectively.
2000-2010
In this decade, an article was written by Mckerrow in 2010, illustrating the application and use of ideological rhetoric when addressing people or communicating with them. From his perspective, the ideological rhetoric is the discourse not limited to textual artifacts and visuals which establishes, reflects, challenges as well as power relations among different groups of people (McKerrow).
2010-2021
In this decade, an article was written by Kennerly in 2017, elaborating how the Homeric gift culture is linked to both contemporary communication and rhetorical theory. He advocates how Homeric gift culture equips people with the rhetorical knowledge of observing and analyzing people’s character before making any judgment (Kennerly 557). The article also emphasized the use of rhetoric devices when convincing people or communicating with them.
Work Cited
Botan, Carl H. (2017). Strategic Communication Theory and Practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Lyne, John. “Philosophical Approaches to Communication Theory.” Journal of Communication Theory, vol. 48, no. 3, 1998, pp. 153-157, doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1998.tb02765.x.
McKerrow, Raymie E. “Ideological Rhetoric.” Journal of Communication Theory, 2010, doi:10.4135/9781412959384.n185.
Kennerly. “Rhetoric and the Gift: Ancient Rhetorical Theory and Contemporary Communication.” Journal of Communication Theory, vol. 20, no. 3, 2017, p. 557, doi:10.14321/rhetpublaffa.20.3.0557.