Rhetorical Education in Turn-of-the-Century U.S. Women's Journalism

In the late 19th century, newspaperwomen in the United States used rhetorical and pedagogical techniques to create innovative new dialogues and engage audiences, particularly marginalized voices. Grace Wetzel's book explores the work of Susette La Flesche Tibbles, Gertrude Bustill Mossell, and Winifred Black, who used their platforms to promote literacy, community investment, and public writing and activism. Their teachings serve as enduring examples of how to engage in meaningful public literacy and ethical journalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press

At the turn of the 19th century, newspapers played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. reading public, fostering widespread literacy development and providing a platform for rhetorical education. Female journalists, recognizing the new opportunities to engage audiences, embraced the masculine tradition of journalistic writing and reimagined it through a fusion of intimate rhetoric and pedagogy. This transformative approach led to the creation of innovative new dialogues that resonated with readers.

Rhetorical Education in Turn-of-the-Century U.S. Womens Journalism delves into the pedagogical contributions of three newspaperwomen, Susette La Flesche Tibbles, Gertrude Bustill Mossell, and Winifred Black, during the 1880s and 1890s. These writers, hailing from diverse backgrounds, utilized the mass-circulating newspaper as a platform for teaching and social action. By inviting their audiences and communities, particularly those marginalized voices, to participate in the writing and teaching process, they facilitated the development of literacy skills and promoted a sense of community engagement.

Grace Wetzel, in her book, situates these journalists within their specific writing contexts and personas, shedding light on their unique approaches to pedagogy. Mossell, an African American newspaper columnist, employed a reader-centered pedagogy to promote literary learning and community investment among African American women. La Flesche, a correspondent for the Omaha Morning World-Herald during the Wounded Knee Massacre, modeled relational news research and reporting as a survivance practice. Black, through her "Little Jim" story, inspired public writing and activism among children from different socioeconomic classes.

These newspaperwomen's pedagogical work not only shaped the reading public but also had a lasting impact on the field of journalism. Their innovative approaches to teaching and storytelling paved the way for future generations of female journalists to engage with their audiences and advocate for social change. The legacy of their rhetorical and pedagogical contributions continues to inspire and influence the practice of journalism today.

Weight: 64g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780809338672