Communicating Terror: The Rhetorical Dimensions of Terrorism argues that the meaning of terrorism is socially constructed and suggests a new definition of terrorism, chiefly as a process of communication-between terrorists and multiple target audiences. Concise yet comprehensive, this up-to-date text examines how acts of "terrorism" create rhetorical acts: What messages, persuasive meanings, symbols, do acts of terrorism generate and communicate to the world at large? These rhetorical components include definitions and labels, symbolism in terrorism, public oratory about terrorism, and the relationship between terror and media. This unique communication perspective (vs. political scienceiminal justice approach) shows how the rhetoric of terrorism is truly a war of words, symbols, and meanings.FEATURES:UPDATED and EXPANDED to include recent examples, case studies, and speeches that occured within the past 5 yearsNEW chapters on public address and speeches concerning terrorism (Chapter 6), entertainment media and the promotion of terror stereotypes (Chapter 8), and the symbiotic relationship between terrorists and news media--newspaper, TV, radio--and new media--Internet, blogs, Web sites (Chapter 9)Examines diverse acts of terrorism--not just 9//11 or the recent events in the Middle East--to show the history and various usages of these acts as a medium for communicationExplores the impact of this persuasive language by examining the communicative goals of a terrorist//terror act (i.e., what persuasive//argumentative message is being sent), how the mass media communicate and manipulate the terrorist message and act, and how this media portrayal then shapes public perception and, subsequently, international discourse and policyIncludes real case studies of terrorists and terror acts that make the application of rhetorical theory practical and accessible