Preface

Rhetoric is one of the most enduring disciplines in Western civilization. From its origin in ancient Greece to present times，this discipline has been extensively examined，discussed，and employed across diverse domains. Contemporary scholars from various fields have reinvigorated the comprehension and implications of rhetoric for myriad aspects of culture and social life. As a language practice，news discourse is not impartial or devoid of values. Instead，it functions as a vehicle of communication with inherent persuasive qualities. From a rhetorical standpoint，news discourse emerges as a product shaped by rhetorical constructs. This book delves into the persuasive elements within news discourse，drawing upon a comprehensive range of both classical and contemporary rhetorical theories. It takes a rhetorical approach to understanding how rhetoric shapes news narratives and emphasizes the importance of employing tailored rhetorical strategies，styles，and patterns to effectively engage diverse international audiences. Furthermore，this book also sheds light on the profound influence of news discourse on our values，beliefs，and behaviors.

This book is intended for scholars，researchers，and students interested in the fields of rhetoric，media studies，and communication. The research presented in this book adopts a new approach to critically analyzing news discourse and provides valuable insights and implications for news media outlets，particularly those in China，on how to shape their news discourse effectively.

The book is structured into multiple sections，such as introduction，literature review，theories on rhetorical situation，rhetorical mechanism，rhetorical resources of news discourse，case study，and conclusion. Each section offers a detailed examination of how news discourse is crafted rhetorically by employing a variety of rhetorical theories and approaches.

I hope that this book will be a valuable resource for those interested in the persuasive factors in news discourse and the importance of rhetorical criticism in enhancing our ability to critically interpret news discourse.

In the creation of this book，I have received tremendous help and support from my teachers，family members，colleagues，and friends. Their guidance，inspiration，and advice were invaluable in making this book a reality. First，I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to my mentor，Professor Liu Yameng，who first introduced me to the field of rhetoric and played a pivotal role in cultivating my fascination with it. I am especially indebted to my family，particularly my father，whose tireless dedication to nurturing me from a young age established the solid foundation upon which I have built my life. Every step I have taken in my personal growth can be credited to his guidance and influence. My mother and husband have also been a continuous source of love，dedication，and inspiration，propelling me forward during moments of doubt or uncertainty. Without their support and encouragement，this book would not have been possible. I am also grateful to my colleagues and friends at Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages who have consistently provided me with valuable feedback and inspiring ideas throughout my career and research journey. Finally，I would like to express my love and gratitude to my son and daughter，whom I love，from the bottom of my heart. They bring immense joy and fulfillment to every aspect of my life，making it even more meaningful and enriching. Their presence has truly been a blessing that I cherish every day.