Dictionary of Socio-Rhetorical Terms

Welcome to the Dictionary of Socio-Rhetorical Terms. From this page, you are able to find the definitions of most of the major terms and concepts used by Socio-Rhetorical Criticism (and related fields) as well as short descriptions of the "textures" that make up a religious text.

To begin, click on the letter that begins the word for which you are seeking a definition:

Click an item on the Textures Table, or go to the Rhetorolect/Belief Systems Table:

Definitions written by Mark Roncace, David Charnon, and Tamara Yates based on Vernon K. Robbins, Exploring the Texture of Texts, Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1996 and Vernon K. Robbins, The Tapestry of Early Christianity: Rhetoric, Society, and Ideology, London and New York: Routledge, 1996.