Description
Book SynopsisFringe Rhetorics: Conspiracy Theories and the Paranormal identifies these rhetorical similarities of conspiracy theories and paranormal accounts by delving into rhetorical, psychosocial, and political science research. Identifying something as “fringe” indicates its proximal placement within accepted norms of contemporary society. Both conspiracy theories and paranormal accounts dwell on the fringes and both use surprisingly similar persuasive techniques. Using elements of the Aristotelian canon as well as Oswald’s strengthening and weakening strategies, this book establishes a pattern for the analysis of fringe rhetorics. It also applies this pattern through rhetorical analyses of several documentaries and provides suggestions for countering fringe arguments.
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
Chapter 1 Defining Fringe Rhetoric
Chapter 2 Rhetorical Lens
Chapter 3 Fringe Rhetoric: Flat Earth
Chapter 4 Fringe Rhetoric: Power and Control
Chapter 5 Fringe Rhetoric: Aliens and Cover-Ups
Chapter 6 Rhetorical Strategies for Refutation
