I. A. Richards (1893-1979)

I. Overriding ideas bringing logical outgrowths

A. For Richards, "Rhetoric is a study of misunderstandings and its remedies" (from Philosophy of Rhetoric; rpt. in Bizzell 900).

B. "His concern was to help solve the problems facing people, many of which seemed directly related to an inability to communicate effectively" (Foss, Foss, Trapp 27).

1. Practical perspectives helping students and teachers

a. How to read a page
b. Basic English Dictionary

2. Commonsensical models/theories for "comprehending"

a. Semantic triangle
b. Comparison fields
c. Context theory of meaning/words' interinanimation
d. Components of comprehension

A. A founding father of the new Rhetoric

1. Theory of context is the "foundation of a new rhetoric" (Bizzell 966).

2. His various contrasts with (and criticisms of) old rhetoric suggest a new path for rhetoric to follow.

a. Microscopic perspective
b. Views on ambiguity
c. Views on metaphor

1. Many see his condemnation of various aspects of old Rhetoric as a step in the right direction, and see Richards himself as a pioneer of new Rhetoric.

2. Detractors exist however.

a. Bilsky on Richards' theory of metaphor
b. Others summarized (See Foss, Foss, Trapp 48-49):

1. Looseness of writing
2. Lack of evidence at times
3. Incongruities in work
4. Overemphasis on science

A. Born in Sandbach, Cheshire, in England 2/26/1893
B. Educated at Cambridge University
C. Most influenced by and worked collaboratively with C.K. Ogden, James Wood, G.E. Moore, and Christine M. Gibson. Other influences include Plato, Coleridge, Kant, Piaget, and Wm. James
D. Tremendous knowledge in many disciplines
E. Harvard's Dir. of Language Research/ Eng. Language Studies
F. Death: 9/7/1979

G. Primary sources include but are not limited to

The Foundations of Aesthetics (1922), The Meaning of Meaning (1923), Principles of Literary Criticism (1924), Science and Poetry (1925), Practical Criticism (1929), Mencius on the Mind (1931), Basic Rules of Reason (1933), Coleridge on Imagin ation (1934), The Philosophy of Rhetoric (1936), Interpretation in Teaching (1938), How to Read a Page (1942), Speculative Instruments (1955)