Cartooning without caricature: John T. McCutcheon and the rhetoric of balance

Erin Faith Doss, Purdue University

Abstract

This thesis proposes the rhetoric of balance, a rhetorical tool that can serve as both a strategy for composing messages and a tool for analysis. The rhetoric of balance includes three major components: the balanced rhetor, the balanced message, and the balanced style. These components work together to enhance the credibility of the rhetor and his or her arguments. While a balanced rhetorical approach may not work in all situations, it can be useful in persuading audiences with a variety of viewpoints, bringing them into agreement on the issue at hand. A balanced rhetorical appeal can also be used to offer audiences a different perspective on a specific issue or situation and could even help audience members reduce dissonance by showing similarities among attitudes, beliefs, and values. The rhetoric of balance is demonstrated as an analytical tool in this thesis and is applied to the cartoons of John T. McCutcheon. This thesis argues that McCutcheon used a balanced rhetoric to create identification, build a relationship with his audience, and thereby establish credibility for himself and his arguments.

Degree

M.A.

Advisors

Clair, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Journalism|Rhetoric|Mass communications

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