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Communicating Terror: The Rhetorical Dimensions of Terrorism
The only book to examine terrorism as a rhetorical act
"This is an excellent text in furthering our understanding of the web of language and how it creates our mediated realities – which reflect our culture, politics, religion, economics, etc. Students really like the case studies and how it complements the theory and practice of rhetoric. I think this book has applications for almost any course in communication."
―J. Gregory Payne, Emerson College
Concise, succinct, and provocative, Communicating Terror, Second Edition explores multiple rhetorical dimensions of terrorism, connects terrorism to communication theories, and helps readers understand how this violence creates a public discourse for multiple target audiences.
Author Joseph S. Tuman uses fascinating case studies and examples as he explores both dissent terrorism and state terror and looks at terrorism from a communicative perspective. Presenting terrorism as a process of communication between terrorists and multiple audiences, this book examines a range of rhetorical components, including definitions and labels, symbolism in terrorism, the relationship between terror and the media, and public oratory about terrorism―by both victims of terrorism and terrorists themselves.
New to the Second Edition Intended Audience
Communicating Terror, Second Edition is ideal for use in a wide range of courses, including Media & Politics, Terrorism, Media & Society, Rhetorical Theory/Analysis/Criticism, Defense and National Security, and Political Communication.
"This is an excellent text in furthering our understanding of the web of language and how it creates our mediated realities – which reflect our culture, politics, religion, economics, etc. Students really like the case studies and how it complements the theory and practice of rhetoric. I think this book has applications for almost any course in communication."
―J. Gregory Payne, Emerson College
Concise, succinct, and provocative, Communicating Terror, Second Edition explores multiple rhetorical dimensions of terrorism, connects terrorism to communication theories, and helps readers understand how this violence creates a public discourse for multiple target audiences.
Author Joseph S. Tuman uses fascinating case studies and examples as he explores both dissent terrorism and state terror and looks at terrorism from a communicative perspective. Presenting terrorism as a process of communication between terrorists and multiple audiences, this book examines a range of rhetorical components, including definitions and labels, symbolism in terrorism, the relationship between terror and the media, and public oratory about terrorism―by both victims of terrorism and terrorists themselves.
New to the Second Edition Intended Audience
Communicating Terror, Second Edition is ideal for use in a wide range of courses, including Media & Politics, Terrorism, Media & Society, Rhetorical Theory/Analysis/Criticism, Defense and National Security, and Political Communication.
- GenresNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2003
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March 23, 2025
Textbook for my Argument and Rhetoric class. Not at all what I expected as it is about terrorism as a form of communication. Some arguments are out of pocket at first, but I don’t necessarily disagree with any of them. Discussion on top-down terrorism versus bottom-up terrorism was the most interesting part because terrorism as defined by Western values doesn’t have conceptualization of top-down terrorism— though it certainly exists. Another great gem in this book is thorough explanation on how society gives meanings to words that can be altered and weaponized depending on power structures.
Displaying 1 of 1 review