7 New Rhetoric Books Reshaping the Field in 2025

Drawing from decades of academic experience in rhetoric and composition, Tilly Warnock offers a deep dive into Kenneth Burke’s concept of identification, exploring how it extends classical rhetorical proofs. You’ll learn to trace Burke’s ideas through his works and apply his theory to personal, narrative, and argumentative writing, gaining both a theoretical framework and practical insights. The book’s structure, moving from foundational concepts to applications like rhetoric of religion, invites you to engage actively with Burke’s ideas in your reading and writing. This is particularly suited for scholars and students eager to grasp Burke’s influence beyond traditional rhetoric.

The combined expertise of fifteen scholars, including Francis J. Mootz III and Kirsten K. Davis, fuels this unique exploration of how ancient rhetorical principles inform modern legal practice. You’ll encounter paired texts—from Isocrates’s speeches to landmark Supreme Court cases like Trump v. Hawaii—highlighting the persistent influence of classical rhetoric on contemporary law. The book digs into historical shifts, such as Giambattista Vico’s warnings about law’s separation from rhetoric, and shows through case studies how rhetorical traditions address gaps left by strict rationalism. If you’re interested in the crossroads of language, persuasion, and legal reasoning, this collection offers rich insights, though it demands engagement with both ancient texts and modern jurisprudence.

This tailored book explores the latest developments and emerging insights in rhetoric as of 2025, crafted to match your background and areas of interest. It delves into cutting-edge approaches to persuasion, discourse analysis, and rhetorical innovation, revealing how new discoveries influence modern communication and argumentation. By focusing on your specific goals, the book uncovers advanced techniques that redefine rhetoric's role in politics, law, and society today. With a personalized lens, the content addresses contemporary challenges and breakthroughs in rhetoric, making it an engaging journey through the evolving landscape of language and influence. This tailored resource allows you to engage deeply with the freshest ideas, ensuring your knowledge stays current and relevant.

Ward Farnsworth's decades exploring classical rhetoric led to a nuanced exploration of argument as practiced by history's great orators like Churchill and Lincoln. This book teaches you to recognize and employ techniques such as syllogisms, slippery slopes, and reductio ad absurdum through concise chapters filled with vivid historical examples. You'll gain practical skills in both constructing and deconstructing arguments with greater finesse, turning debate into a thoughtful, even enjoyable exercise. It's particularly useful if you want to deepen your understanding of classical argument forms and see how they apply to modern discourse, though those looking for modern communication tactics might find it less directly applicable.

Drawing on her expertise as a rhetorical scholar, Robin Reames explores how the ancient discipline of rhetoric remains crucial in today's polarized political landscape. You’ll learn to identify key persuasion techniques used by figures from Alcibiades to contemporary media personalities, gaining clarity on how ideas shape your beliefs and decisions. The book breaks down specific rhetorical strategies with examples that reveal manipulation tactics and invite you to think independently. Those wanting to understand political discourse, media influence, or cultural polarization will find this especially relevant. While it doesn’t prescribe what to believe, it equips you with a sharper lens to analyze arguments and your own biases.

Unlike many rhetoric books that focus narrowly on theory, Kendall Gerdes challenges the pervasive notion that students' sensitivity undermines academic freedom. Drawing on rhetorical theory, Gerdes explores how language acts as a form of action, particularly in campus activism and debates about cancel culture and safe spaces. You’ll gain nuanced insights into the responsibilities educators have in navigating these tensions and how language shapes power dynamics in higher education. This book is especially relevant if you’re interested in the intersections of rhetoric, social justice, and education policy, offering a fresh perspective on the role of language in contemporary campus issues.

This tailored book explores emerging rhetoric trends and evolving roles relevant to 2025 and beyond. It examines the latest discoveries and shifting dynamics in public discourse, persuasion, and communication, focusing on your specific interests and background. Through a personalized lens, it covers how rhetoric adapts to new social, technological, and political challenges, revealing fresh approaches and nuanced insights. By matching content to your goals, it enables deeper understanding of future rhetorical landscapes and equips you to engage effectively with upcoming challenges and opportunities. This tailored exploration enriches your knowledge with targeted, current perspectives that reflect ongoing developments in the field.

Drawing from his academic expertise, Erik Bengtson challenges long-held views on Plato's role in rhetoric and probes the complexities of doxa, or popular belief, in today's post-truth culture. You gain a nuanced understanding of argumentation's enduring nature through his concepts of sedimentation and erosion, which reveal how foundational debates evolve over time. This book suits those interested in the intersection of philosophy, rhetoric, and contemporary discourse, offering fresh perspectives on how truth and persuasion interact in modern society. Expect to reconsider conventional rhetoric theories and explore how arguments persist and transform across generations.

Political Rhetoric in Theory and Practice offers a thorough exploration into persuasive speaking by weaving together classical rhetorical theory with compelling political speeches across history. Authors Robert C. Bartlett and Nasser Behnegar draw from foundational thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero, then place their ideas alongside speeches by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Sojourner Truth, illustrating judicial, deliberative, and epideictic rhetoric in action. You'll gain not just an understanding of rhetorical proofs, but also an appreciation for how rhetoric shapes democratic discourse, revealing both its inspiring and problematic uses. This book suits anyone eager to deepen their grasp of political communication and its impact on public deliberation.