Epideictic Metaphor: Uncovering Values and Celebrating Dissonance Through a Reframing of Voice

Abstract

This article provides a framework for analyzing metaphor as epideictic rhetoric, accounting for the persistence of key disciplinary metaphors. It examines the metaphor of voice across distinct theoretical conversations as an example of epideictic metaphor. Voice’s epideictic function allows it to reconceptualize the shared value of power as it celebrates this value by stitching and unstitching it to various worldviews and values. An epideictic framework allows rhetoric scholars to uncover and trouble values celebrated by a discourse community’s shared metaphors while challenging values as unquestionable or mutually exclusive. Further, framing metaphors as epideictic celebrates linguistic and conceptual dissonance.

Notes

1 I would like to thank RR reviewers of this manuscript, Star Medzerian Vanguri and an anonymous reviewer, for their labor, time, and care in providing feedback. I am grateful for their thoughtful comments, and the time they spend reading various drafts of this work. I would also like to thank Elise Hurley for her transparency and guidance throughout this process. Finally, I owe a thanks to Timothy Oleksiak, who provided feedback and encouragement. All these folks have been generous with their time and care and this article would not exist without that collaboration.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brigitte Mussack

Brigitte Mussack is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and teaches courses in technical and professional writing. Her research and publications focus on shared values, the intersection of social justice and technical and professional writing, and epideictic rhetoric. Her past work includes investigations of yard signs and epideictic rhetoric, corporate mission statements and values, integrating rhetorical theory and collaboration into professional writing courses, and an open-source textbook on technical communication and social justice work. Email contact: [email protected]