A journal is a type of publication done for a specialized group and thus focused on a particular field of study. An example of a journal is the Quarterly Journal of Speech (QJS). It was established in 1985 and is owned by the National Communication Association. QJS is a quarterly journal that is produced four issues in a year, in the months of February, May, August, and November. It is peer-reviewed and publishes articles and research papers specialized in communication arts. It is currently being published by Taylor & Francis (Routledge). The aim of this report is to discuss the current areas of focus of the journal and the significance of the journal to the Rhetoric.
Current Focus of Quarterly Journal of Speech
Quarterly Journal of Speech publishes studies in rhetorical viewpoints on texts, dialogues, and cultural norms. The journal encourages research work that extends and improves cultural customs in communicative theory and criticism, as well as academic research that charts new frontiers in knowledge. The articles in QJS cover a wide range of topics, from evaluating presidential addresses to examining contemporary cultural texts like television and movies, to high-level research on the physical sense of place and channel. QJS presents publications that address the question of how rhetoric creates meaning and significance in the globe. It endeavors to explain the role language play in defining identity, impacting political discourse, and assisting us in comprehending and organizing our daily lives.
Significance of the Journal to the Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the process of substantiating ideas using linguistic standards that imply competence and cohesion. Through the publication of high-quality researches, QJS has enhanced the body of rules that defines rhetoric. This has enabled speakers to communicate with eloquence and attain their aim of persuading the audience. The journal captures research in phrases, metaphors, diction, and all other features of linguistic impressions and expression used in speech. Rhetoric studies vary depending on the description of the word rhetoric used as an initial point. The journal captures the main concepts of rhetoric that predominate in rhetorical research from the early twenty-first century.
Rhetoric is defined as principles for discourse creation, speech, or discourse critique. The journal accepts rhetorical theory papers and this has led to advancement through an empirical investigation of discourses and their sequels. A research carried out by Nickerson identified interconnected and overlapping rhetorical aspects that affected the effectiveness of a conversation (10). The research paper was published in volume 54, number 1 of the journal. The factors of influence outlined in the findings are the extent of bonding between those participating in the rhetoric action, authority in the sense of attractiveness, and distance that divides the individuals involved in communication.
The presidential election of 2020 has generated serious concerns about how sitting presidents should be made accountable for their public remarks. This study concentrates on how the prevalent administration’s desire for attention has to be contoured to reduce threats to democracy. It shows an example of former President of America Donald Trump on how he used communication during the election campaign and transition period (Scacco and Coe 423). The publications of the journal have also aided other fields of study by elaborating its core principles of communication. A research titled ‘‘Behavioral Assessment of Speech Anxiety’’, was carried out on how behavior characteristics can be identified by looking at speech anxiety (Thomas and Lucy 59). This is important in psychology and used to carry out anxiety tests and help in the administration of the correct treatment. Thus, the Quarterly Journal of Speech plays a key role in producing research content to address emerging rhetoric in our society.
QJS has more than a century of history but continues to evolve dynamically with every decade. Conquergood’s article that discusses the links between rhetoric, anthropology, and ethnography exemplifies how the journal fosters interdisciplinary collaboration (80). Work by Hariman analyzes political parody through a non-Western lens, showing the journal’s research perspective development (247). Through Wanzer-Serrano’s essay, QJS brings intersectionality and identity politics to rhetoric (465). Every ten years, QJS refreshes the discipline with new concepts.
Works Cited
Conquergood, Dwight. “Ethnography, rhetoric, and performance.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 78, no. 1, 1992, pp. 80-97.
Hariman, Robert. “Political Parody and Public Culture.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 94, no. 3, 2008, pp. 247-272.
Nickerson, Raymond. Argumentation: The Art of Persuasion. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Scacco, Joshua and Kevin, Coe. Securing the Guardrails of Democracy? Accountability and Presidential Communication in the 2020 Election. Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 107, no. 4, 2021, pp. 423-429. Francis & Taylor Publishers.
Thomas, Mark and Lucy, Cradduck. The Art of Mooting: Theories, Principles and Practice. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.
Wanzer-Serrano, Darrel. “Rhetoric’s rac (e/ist) problems.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 105, no. 4, 2019, pp. 465-476.