Abstract
This paper provides a broad overview of Kenneth Burke's most influential works and the effect they have had on the study of communications. It then focuses on and describes one of Burke's greatest contributions to communications theory - his pentad theory, which was theorized in "A Grammar of Motives." The paper discusses this theory and the influence that it had on communications study.

Table of Contents:
Burke: A Broad Overview
The Pentad Explored
Works and Research Spurred by the Burkean Pentad
Expanding the Pentad
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Ling's analysis of Kennedy's speech may be one of the best known examples of pentad-based analysis, but it is by no means the only one. In fact, the Kenneth Burke Society - which also publishes the KB Journal - holds a triennial conference where various papers on Burkean theory are presented. Topics have included the application of pentad analysis to increasingly high-tech communications; rhetorical analysis of the press; pentad analysis of George W. Bush's communications on the Iraq War; and much more (Burke Papers, 2006). In fact, the Kenneth Burke Society has already announced plans for a 2008 conference in Philadelphia, to ensure the application of Burke's theories continues."

Tags:rhetorical, speech, highlight

Abstract
The paper discusses Kenneth Burke's theory of the "new rhetoric" - in which he saw culture as a kind of language of contextual symbols. The "symbolic construction of social reality" is the topic of scholarly debate and discussion even fifty-seven years after the publishing of his groundbreaking book "A Rhetoric of Motives". The paper notes that what Burke meant by "new rhetoric" according to Marie Hochmuth - writing in The Quarterly Journal of Speech - applies interestingly and poignantly to a review of many cultural settings, including the American style of weddings. The paper looks at the American institution of a wedding, with all the traditions, myths, spoken ceremonial words and rituals, and critiques the wedding as a tradition and as a cultural institution, using the new rhetoric interpretations and strategies put forward by Burke.

From the Paper
"The bride wears white, presumably to signify her purity. But in other cultures, most notably India and Japan, red rather than white is the customary color of first-time brides. Even in our own culture, white was not the customary color for a wedding dress until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria wore white at her wedding. Also, for a long time, women did not have enough money to have a new dress, so they wore their best dresses, unless they were wealthy, but now that clothing is cheaper, almost everyone wears a special dress for the day. Even if someone defies these norms, such an act is consciously interpreted as defiance. People do not exist outside of the symbolic language of the culture in which they find themselves."

Tags:interpretations, strategies, persuasion, indicative

Abstract
This paper examines the history of rhetoric and it's significance in early Greek and Roman civilizations that coincided with creation of democracy and the importance of public speech. It then shows Kenneth Burke's contribution to the new rhetoric as an argumentative weapon and his influence on the post-modern deconstructionism.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Section One: The Preceding Conversation
3. Section Two: Contribution to the Conversation
4. Section Three: Effect on the Conversation
5. Conclusion

From the paper:

"The word "rhetoric" has an old fashioned air about it. It calls up images of schoolrooms with children in ruffled collars and Latin grammars and not a laptop in sight for several centuries. But rhetoric is as alive as is language itself, and this paper examines the importance of rhetorical studies in helping each of us to become the best writers and speakers " the best communicators " that we can be. A historical study of changes models and standards in rhetoric can also provide us not only with a sense of how linguistic and especially English style has changed over the years as well as illuminating how our conception of language and its structure and function have changed as well. This paper engages in such an examination by focusing on the work of Kenneth Burke. We begin with a brief overview of the life of this man whose rhetorical work we will then examine."

Tags:language, speech, communication

From the Paper
" This study will compare and contrast the ideas of Aristotle and Kenneth Burke on rhetoric. The study will argue that Aristotle is determined arrive at a rhetoric which is based on reason and which yields an ideal portrait of the art, whereas Burke, while he deeply appreciates Aristotle, does not believe that such an ideal can be found, although he has not given up the search.
To Aristotle, language and the use of language in effective speech can bring human beings nearer and nearer their higher purpose, which is happiness as that ideal, but for Burke words and their use are much more problematic. Words for Burke are much more mysterious and playful entities than for Aristotle. For Aristotle, the broad class of the audience is what is foremost, while with Burke the reader suspects that Burke is enjoying.."

Abstract
The paper discusses how Dell Hymes and Kenneth Burke offer compelling insight into the foundations of sociolinguistics using the key term of "Identification". The paper then analyzes Jay Jordan's scholarly article "Dell Hymes, Kenneth Burke's 'Identification,' and the Birth of Sociolinguistics" and contrasts it to John Baugh's popular press article "Do You Speak American?" The paper shows how, while Jordan's article is based on hard research without taking any one side, Baugh's article on Ebonics is based on the author's opinions and fueled by media exposure and political impact.

Outline:
Background
Issue
Scholarly Article
Popular Press Article
Discussion

From the Paper
""Sociolinguistics is the study of the effect of any and all aspects of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context on the way language is used. Sociolinguistics overlaps to a considerable degree with pragmatics" (Wikipedia). The study of sociolinguistics offers a view on how subtle or pronounced language variation can be a result of social variables such as ethnicity, religion, status, and level of education (Wikipedia). The importance of the study of sociolinguistics can be applied to a variety of applications; from legal precedence in a court of law to defining the true meaning, or as Kenneth Burke defined, the "identification" of the meaning of words in which context, setting, and other social factors are applied (Jordan)."

Tags:Ebonics, African-Americans, dialect, language

From the Paper
" This paper is a study of the theoretical evidence supporting the notion of developing questions as a means of increasing a writer's analytical ability and facility for writing clearly. Specific questions that follow a carefully composed framework allow both the writer and the reader the opportunity to study what is being said and how it is being expressed. Questioning encourages both to identify the problem being addressed, develop valid hypotheses regarding a relevant response, collect and analyze data in support of those proposals, synthesize responses, and formulate valid conclusions. In some respects, this type of analysis is an attempt to use scientific methodology to achieve a literary goal. Such an approach involves asking a series of questions prompted by five key concepts. For the journalist, these concepts are most often phrased as who, what, where, when.."

Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the Edmund Burke's conciliation speech. According to the paper, Edmund Burke's speech urges Parliament to adopt a more sensible approach to the colonies to ensure not only peace but political and economic obeisance. The paper reports that Burke believed that conciliation with the colonies would help Britain prosper and continue their dominion on both sides of the Atlantic.

From the Paper
"Furthermore, Burke points out that disputes with the colonies are causing Britain to become "distracted" from its political and economic goals. Those goals not only include peace, order and "repose" but also imperial strength and integrity. Burke appeals to the British desire for colonial expansion, with all the political and economic benefits derived from it. His concern for the well-being of the colonies themselves is rooted solely in the view that the colonies were British by birth and should remain British in character and loyalty. The British colonies were pushing for greater liberty, manifest in self-governance and independence from the Crown. Burke argues that avowing colonial independence will lead to greater trust and further political cohesion between the New and Old Worlds. He criticizes "the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations" that Parliament had been engaging in with the colonies."

Tags:liberty, colonies, freedom, political, economic, goals, Parliament, crown

Abstract
This paper reviews parts of Edmund Burke's speech where he advises England to allow the American colonies their liberty. The paper highlights that this was going against the political beliefs in Britain at the time. The paper then attempts to show that Burke was also showing his intelligence as a leader, philosopher and truly honorable diplomat in this speech.

From the Paper
"When Burke states that the British Empire as "an empire so great" he quickly qualifies that by saying the Empire is also "so distracted," a pivotal key to the thrust of his remarks. He knew the British Empire could not possibly sustain all their global holdings, properties, and resources at the level that they once controlled them as a colonial power.
"He admits that even a "genius" would have a hard time keeping the empire together; and he admits to "struggling a good while" until his thoughts began to jell, and he expresses the belief that he has come to a profound grasp of the moment, albeit he is just one man. He uses his customary skillfully crafted rhetoric to cajole the Parliament, saying that if what he is proposing would be "futile or dangerous" or poorly constructed, he wouldn't bother. But bother he does, and will, when it comes to his simple proposition - "peace.""

Tags:colonies, liberty, British, Empire, Revolutionary, War

Abstract
This paper uses the Kenneth Burke Pentad approach to analyze the speeches of Vice President Al Gore when he conceded the 2000 presidential election and President George W. Bush when he declared victory. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the contentious nature of the 2000 elections, culminating in the courtroom drama over the recount in Florida. Next, the paper provides a detailed explanation and overview of Burke's pentad approach to communication, which the paper then applies to the two speeches. The paper concludes that while reflected differently, the speeches had essentially the same message: the process is bigger than the person.

I. Introduction
II. Introduction to Kenneth Burke's
Pentad Theory of Persuasive Communication
III. How Ratio Leads to Motive
IV. Perfection
V. The Pentad of the Speeches
1. Gore's Concession
2. Bush's Victory Speech
A. The Act
B. The Scene
C. The Agents
D. The Agency
E. Purpose
VI. Ratio
A. Gore's Ratio
B. Bush's Ratio
VII. Gore's Motive
VIII. Bush's Motive
IX. Perfection
X. Conclusion

From the Paper
"December 13, 2000 concluded a Presidential Election unlike any that proceeded it. The date marked the concession of Vice President Al Gore, to future president George W. Bush. It was the closest United States Presidential Election of all time, and it concluded in the Supreme Court of the United States. The decision of that court would ultimately place the most powerful political position in the world, the Presidency of the United States, to George W. Bush, the governor of Texas. The election was filled with controversy, including an apparent flawed system of voting, a state, Florida, responsible for deciding the election, that was run by the to be President's younger brother, and a mere count of 300 votes that would change the future forever."

Tags:florida, recount, hanging, chads, vote, campaign, senator, joseph, lieberman, clinton, communication, oratory

Abstract
A rhetorical analysis of the film version of Clare Boothe Luce's "The Women" (1939), employing Burke's dramatistic pentad and the feminist social critique as the framework of discussion.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to provide a rhetorical critique of the motion picture "The Women", based on the play of the same name by Clare Booth Luce, with reference to Burkean and feminist criticism. The plan of the research will be to set forth the historical and cultural context for the film and the basis on which recourse to Burkean theory and to a limited extent, feminist theory, seems most appropriate for explicating and evaluating it as a rhetorical artifact indicate how these theories can be applied..."

Tags:Clare Boothe Luce, Kenneth Burke, Feminism, dramatistic pentad