Dr. Edward A. Hinck, Thursday, 9/22/16 at 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Greenspun Hall Auditorium - 2016 Presidential Debate Lecture Series - LibGuides at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Edward A. Hinck

Presentation Title: Politeness in Presidential Debates

Presenter: Dr. Edward A. Hinck, Professor, Central Michigan University

Lecture Date & Time: Thursday, 9/22/16, 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. in Greenspun Hall Auditorium

Abstract: Debates are interesting campaign events because they call for candidates to cooperate while engaging in argumentative discourse. Naturally, arguments can threaten the positive image of a candidate as an informed, thoughtful, reliable candidate for office. In their best form, the candidates’ arguments can show respect for the other party and the other party’s platform and candidate for office. However, debates can also create conditions for candidates to engage in aggressive strategies in their attempts to appeal to their supporters and demonstrate dominance over the opposing candidate. The discussion of politeness strategies over the course of U.S. presidential campaigns since 1960 will set the stage for understanding the ways that presidential debates inform us about the health of democratic discourse.

Biographical Information and Selected Scholarship by Dr. Edward A. Hinck

As part of the UNLV Presidential Debate Lecture Series, Dr. Edward Hinck, professor at the College of Communication & Fine Arts at Central Michigan University, will discuss politeness in presidential debates.

Dr. Hinck's interests lie in the study of political debate and forensic pedagogy. Currently, Dr. Hinck is in the process of working on a book project with his colleagues William O. Dailey and Shelly Hinck on how face saving and face threatening strategies shape audience's perceptions of candidates in presidential and vice presidential debates. As the director of the Forensics Program at CMU, he enjoys coaching undergraduates in speech activities sponsored by the National Forensic Association and mentoring graduate assistants who serve as assistant coaches.

Hinck, S., Hinck, R. S., Dailey, W. O., & Hinck E.A. (2013). Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republicans? Politeness theory in the 2012 Republican primary debates. Argumentation & Advocacy, 49, 259-274.

Politeness in Presidential Debates by Edward A. Hinck; Shelly S. Hinck; William O. Dailey
ISBN: 9780742529748
Publication Date: 2007-08-29
Politeness and Political Debate analyzes politeness theory and political debate, categorically evaluating politeness strategies in presidential and vice presidential debates from 1960 to 2004. The book also features an introduction to politeness theory and how to apply it to debates. To remedy the lack of information on relational dimensions of debates, politeness theory offers a compelling way of explaining audience assessments of leadership and advocacy skills. The authors summarize the results for each candidate's politeness strategies, relate them to the historical context of the campaign in which they take place, and consider them in relation to other studies conducted on the campaign debates. Debates fall into one of three sections: debating policies; attacking policies and the opponent; and directly attacking the opponent. This well-researched book ends with implications for debate planners, politicians, citizens, and scholars, including an insightful chapter on the electorate's ideal debate.
Venomous Speech by Clarke Rountree (Editor)
ISBN: 9780313398667
Is much of the current dysfunction in our political system attributable to the problematic discourse of politicians, pundits, and journalists? These authors on legal and political discourse say yes.
Enacting the Presidency by Edward A. Hinck
Call Number: JK524 .H56 1993
ISBN: 9780275934880
Publication Date: 1993-01-30
Presidential debates are forums designed to present and select candidates for national office. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for candidates to win over undecided voters, to reinforce voters who have already made a decision about who to vote for, and to change the minds of those who are willing to reconsider their initial judgments concerning which candidate seems more fit to serve as president. Edward Hinck argues that debates are not primarily about presidential policy-making. Rather, they are opportunities to demonstrate a candidate's ability to lead by summarising, in a specific test of presidential character, the larger conflict between the candidates. Hinck develops a rhetorical analysis of the presidential and vice presidential debates of 1960 to 1988.

2016 Presidential Debate Lecture Series

Dr. Edward A. Hinck

Biographical Information and Selected Scholarship by Dr. Edward A. Hinck

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