Primarily emphasizing the U.S. tradition of critical inquiry, Hart (communication, U. of Texas at Austin) and Daughton (communication, Southern Illinois State U. at Carbondale) present an introduction to public rhetoric intended for those taking coursework in rhetorical criticism. The authors aim to demonstrate the commonalities of rhetoric in law, politics, religion, literature, science, education, and entertainment. They provide chapters on the analysis of situations, ideas, argument, form, syntax and imagery, lexicon, and media. They also explore specialized forms of criticism, including role, cultural, dramatistic, feminist, and ideological criticism. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)