Michael Leff (1941–2010) [1] was an internationally known U.S. scholar of rhetoric. He was a Professor and served as Chair of the Department of Communications Studies at the University of Memphis.

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May 12, 2010 · Argumentation scholars around the world mourn the loss of Michael Leff, who died on February 5, 2010 after a brief illness. At the time of his death, Leff was Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Memphis (USA).

Feb 7, 2010 · Michael Leff, chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Memphis, died Friday morning, February 5, after a brief illness. Mike was internationally known as a scholar of...

Oct 5, 2015 · In our readings this week, we see an evolution of the writings of Michael Leff on close textual analysis. As one of the fathers of close reading, Leff (along with G. P. Mohrmann) identifies there in rhetorical value in diving deep into the text rather than subjecting it to rigerous prodding by external theories.

The essay explores a new method of close textual analysis—one that neither applies common theoretical frameworks to a rhetorical artifact nor abandons theory entirely. It compares and contrasts the ideas of Michael Leff and Michael McGee and supports a method that merges the two camps together.

Rethinking Rhetorical Theory, Criticism, and Pedagogy: The Living Art of Michael C. Leff offers answers to these questions by introducing the central insights of one of the most innovative and prolific rhetoricians of the twentieth century, Michael C. Leff.

Dec 1, 2010 · Humanist Controversies:: The Rhetorical Humanism of Ernesto Grassi and Michael Leff

In the main, he deploys Ciceros speech as a way theorizing about the nature of rhetoric itself, specifically, the relationship between rhetorical theory and practice. To do so, he felt obliged to stake claim on behalf of the "strong case for rhetoric."

Remembering Michael Leff. / Zarefsky, David. In: Rhetoric and Public Affairs, Vol. 13, No. 4, 2010, p. 669-678. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review