About Author

Dr. Michele Ramsey

Description:
Dr. E. Michele Ramsey is an Associate Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences and Women's Studies at Penn State Berks, where she teaches Public Speaking, Media Literacy, Language, Culture, and Communication, Gender and Communication, Rhetoric of Television and Film, and Contemporary American Political Rhetoric. Her research interests include representations of gender in the media, women's rights rhetoric, social movement rhetoric, and political rhetoric. A native Texan, she likes to remind people that Ann Richards and Molly Ivins came from Texas too! It's not a TOTALLY Republican state!!!

Website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeurpzk/drmicheleramsey/index.html



Posts by Dr. Michele Ramsey

Reframing the Anti-democratic, Anti-American, and Anti-intellectual Rhetoric of Elite

Anti-intellectualism is an emotional response to arguments and candidates with which one disagrees. It stems from a fear of coming across ideas that might cause cognitive dissonance, or the discomfort one feels when faced with new information that challenges what one already believes to be true.

1 Comment

Read More...
 

The Democrats Have Been Framed by Fox

Even as I’m angered by the obvious attempt of FOX to create the 2008 political reality that they want and saddened by the willingness of the rest of the mainstream media to follow their lead, the fact that the Obama campaign has overcome the obstacle of a media initially determined to crown Clinton the Democratic nominee before a single primary ballot had been counted gives me renewed faith in country.

12 Comments

Read More...
 

The War On Christmas?

Understanding some basic argumentation fallacies and strategies, such as those prevalent in the “War on Christmas” debate will hopefully help us to begin the process of reclaiming our public sphere and our democracy.



Read More...
 

How False Choices Encourage Bad Choices

False choice arguments shut out minority opinions, ignore vital information, promote division over unity, weaken public debate, and promote either/or thinking patterns that are bad for policy and bad for our country.



Read More...
 

The Rhetorical Power of “Support Our Troops”

Words can and are used to corner one’s political opposition. Political rhetoric shapes the way American’s think about the most important issues of the day.

3 Comments

Read More...