The University of Southern Mississippi The Aquila Digital Community Dissertations Fall 12-2010 Shock Rhetoric David Robert Nelson University of Southern Mississippi Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations Part of the Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, Social Influence and oliticalP Communication Commons, and the Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Nelson, David Robert, "Shock Rhetoric" (2010). Dissertations. 500. https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/500 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. The University of Southern Mississippi SHOCK RHETORIC by David Robert Nelson Abstract of a Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2010 ABSTRACT SHOCK RHETORIC by David Robert Nelson December 2010 Social movements create a public perception of themselves through rhetorical messages and demonstrations. In order to gain the public’s attention, some radical groups use any rhetorical means necessary, including offensive remarks and conduct. Groups, such as the Westboro Baptist Church and Bash Back!, rhetorically challenge the boundaries of prudence. The purpose of this study is to identify, depict, and provide insight regarding shock rhetoric. This study will compare protest methods, visual imagery, and language choices used by Bash Back! and the Westboro Baptist Church. This dissertation helps illuminate why and how groups or individuals use shock rhetoric.