The Rhetoric of the American Political Party Conventions, 1948-2016

by Theodore F. Sheckels

Overview

The Rhetoric of the American Political Party Conventions, 1948-2016 establishes the rhetorical goals of the thirty-six political party conventions that have taken place since 1948 against the backdrop of the fundamental changes that television brought to the conventions. Theodore F. Sheckels analyzes these conventions to determine whether the gatherings met or failed to meet those goals, including addressing civil rights, unifying divergent wings of the party, celebrating the triumph of a single wing, overcoming dissent inside and outside the meeting hall, overcoming—or capitalizing on—scandal, reconstituting the party after defeats, arguing for change, and advocating for inclusion. Sheckels observes that although speeches are the primary vehicle through which attendees strive to reach these goals, the crucial addresses are not always by the principal players; often, events other than speeches such as negotiations, demonstrations, and media spin can be just as consequential. Sheckels discusses both the similarities and differences in the ways in which the conventions do business and constitute and reconstitute what the political parties are, aiming to persuade the public with rhetorical images and messages. Scholars of communication, rhetoric, political science, and American studies will find this book particularly useful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498588669
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Series:	Bloomsbury Studies in Political Communication
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	244
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Theodore F. Sheckels is Charles J. Potts professor of social science and professor of English and communication studies at Randolph-Macon College.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter One – Political Party Conventions: History and Criticism
Chapter Two – 1948
Chapter Three – 1952
Chapter Four – 1956
Chapter Five – 1960
Chapter Six – 1964
Chapter Seven – 1968
Chapter Eight – 1972
Chapter Nine – 1976
Chapter Ten – 1980
Chapter Eleven – 1984
Chapter Twelve – 1988
Chapter Thirteen—1992
Chapter Fourteen—1996
Chapter Fifteen – 2000
Chapter Sixteen – 2004
Chapter Seventeen – 2008
Chapter Eighteen – 2012
Chapter Nineteen – 2016
Chapter Twenty -- Conclusions
Bibliography
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

With pundits claiming that conventions are an anachronism, Sheckels' book disproves that claim. By placing convention speeches within the larger political context and viewing the conventions as a unified message to address the context, this study clearly makes the case for the importance of conventions to shape the fall campaign. This book's unique approach also provides a new direction for political communication research.

Diana B. Carlin

Sheckels aptly situates each quadrennial political convention in its own social and political context, examining not only convention speeches, but the confluence of factors conditioning convention messaging in all its myriad forms. He gives equal time to the discourses of competing political parties and their agents, recognizing the changing functions of conventions across decades and probing the diverse influences of television coverage, external events, and candidate foibles. By treating each political party convention as is own unique text, replete with dominant tropes and styles, Sheckels celebrates the rhetorical dynamism and fluidity of American political party conventions throughout the years. This book will make an excellent and informative reader for classes in political communication, media and politics, contemporary American public address, and campaign communication.

Mary L. Kahl