Political Campaign Communication: Principles and Practices / Edition 8

by Judith S. Trent, Robert V. Friedenberg, Robert E. Denton Jr.

Overview

The eighth edition of Political Campaign Communication: Principles and Practices provides a clear understanding of the strategic decisions made and tactical communication practices used in contemporary political campaigns.

The authors:
·incorporate examples from all levels—local, statewide, and national—to illustrate the communicative choices confronted in contemporary political campaigns,
·discuss all aspects of campaign communication, from buttons and yard-signs to the rapid expansion in use of social media, and
·draw on a wealth of communication theories to clearly explain contemporary principles and practices such as functions, stages, communicative styles, public speaking, debates, interpersonal communication, political advertising, and the use of new communication technologies.

Updated to reflect practices in the 2012 presidential campaign as well as the local, state, and congressional campaigns of 2014, Political Campaign Communication continues to be a classroom favorite—an insightful, thoroughly researched, and reader-friendly text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442243347
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/04/2015
Series:	Communication, Media, and Politics Series
Edition description:	Eighth Edition
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	1540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Judith S. Trent is professor emerita of communication at the University of Cincinnati.

Robert V. Friedenberg is professor emeritus of communication at Miami University of Ohio.

Robert E. Denton Jr. is the W. Thomas Rice Chair of Leadership Studies in the Pamplin College of Business and professor and department chair of communication at Virginia Tech.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Communication and Political Campaigns: A Prologue
Importance of Political Campaigns
Changes in the Political Campaign
Communication and Political Campaigns
Organization and Preview of Chapters

Part I: Principles of Political Campaign Communication
Chapter 2: Communicative Functions of Political Campaigns
First Political Stage: Surfacing
Second Political Stage: Primaries
Third Political Stage: Nominating Conventions
Fourth Political Stage: The General Election
Conclusions

Chapter 3: Communicative Styles and Strategies of Political Campaigns
Preliminary Considerations
Styles and Strategies of Campaigns
Conclusions

Chapter 4: Communicative Mass Channels of Political Campaigning
Early Studies
Contemporary Studies
Conclusions

Chapter 5: Communicative Types and Functions of Televised Political Advertising
Historical Development
Types and Functions of Political Ads
Televised Attack Advertising When the Candidate Is a Woman
A Final Question: Do Televised Attack Ads Work?
Conclusions

Part II: Practices of Political Campaign Communication
Chapter 6: Public Speaking in Political Campaigns
The Decision to Speak
The Speech
Political Speechwriting
Surrogate Speakers
Conclusions

Chapter 7: Recurring Forms of Political Campaign Communication 161
Announcement Speeches
Acceptance Addresses
News Conferences
Apologias
Conclusions

Chapter 8: Debates in Political Campaigns
History of Political Debates
Deciding Whether to Debate
Political Debate Strategies
Effects of Political Debates
Conclusions

Chapter 9: Interpersonal Communication in Political Campaigns
Interpersonal Communication between Candidate and Voters
Interpersonal Communication between the Candidate and Prospective Financial Contributors
Interpersonal Communication between Voters
Interpersonal Communication among Voters, Mass Media, and Voting Behavior
Interpersonal Communication and Getting-Out-the-Vote Efforts
Behavioral Characteristics of Successful Interpersonal Campaigns
Conclusions

Chapter 10: Advertising in Political Campaigns
Developing a Master Plan for Political Advertising
Basic Considerations in the Selection of Political Advertising Media
Campaign Advertising Strategies
Media and Other Types of Political Consultants
Conclusions

Chapter 11: New Communication Technologies and Political Campaigns
Historical Overview of Campaigns and New Communication Technologies
Internet Campaign Communication Strategy
Internet Tools
Conclusions

Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

Political Campaign Communication is an expert take on the many important roles that communication plays in political campaigns. Clearly organized and well written, the book draws on lively examples from the past and present to illuminate its subject matter. There is little doubt that the new eighth edition of this classic text will appeal to students and professors alike.

Kevin Coe

Political Campaign Communication is an expert take on the many important roles that communication plays in political campaigns. Clearly organized and well written, the book draws on lively examples from the past and present to illuminate its subject matter. There is little doubt that the new eighth edition of this classic text will appeal to students and professors alike.

Kevin M. Coe

The updated eighth edition of this book maintains its position as an outstanding and comprehensive examination of American political campaign communication, both in theory and practice. Because campaign procedures in other parts of the world are often inspired by campaign features initially elaborated in an American context, it will also be of great interest to international students and scholars.

Lars W. Nord

Political Campaign Communication is deservedly an institution, established as the seminal study of election campaigning and the role of strategic communication since its first edition. This updated eighth edition—which features examples from recent campaigns and explores the use of digital technologies—continues to position the book as the key manual for understanding U.S. elections.

Darren G. Lilleker

This book masterfully introduces and explains key concepts, terms, and contexts that help us understand campaign rhetoric and communication in the specific context of the U.S. political scene. Communication is at the core of every political campaign, and Trent, Friedenberg, and Denton make us smarter about how it works. Scholars of campaign rhetoric, media commentators, and general audiences all have something to learn from Political Campaign Communication.

Paul Achter

Here, in one compact and highly informative volume, is everything you need to know about campaign communications—from speeches and TV to debates and the internet. The authors even explain when and how candidates should apologize for the inevitable gaffes along the trail!

Larry J. Sabato

Trent, Friedenberg, and Denton have written the definitive account of political campaign communications. They dissect the importance of campaigns, communications styles, political strategies, public speaking, and voter impact, and do so in a highly readable style. Both students and faculty will love this book, and find it very engaging.

Darrell West