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150441 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.14464 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ All Rights Reserved 2011 iv, 121 p Masters Thesis Academic theses Text eng Zukowski, Kassandra Holmer Nadesan, Majia Mean, Lindsey Eric Ramsey, Ramsey Arizona State University Partial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2011 Includes bibliographical references (p. 112-121) Field of study: Communication studies Using models identified by communications scholars Herbert W. Simons and Charles J. Stewart, a rhetorical analysis was conducted on contemporary Tea Party Movement (TPM) artifacts in an attempt to gauge the movement's authenticity as it relates to grassroots advocacy versus astroturfing. The models provided a theoretical framework in which the functions of social movement leaders were analyzed, as well as the rhetorical phases of a movement. Additionally, the notions of advocacy and astroturfing were defined and the concepts compared and contrasted. Used in conjunction with one another the models provided a framework in which TPM artifacts could be analyzed. Analysis was conducted on the websites for the Tea Party Patriots and Tea Party Express, a one-month sample of Sarah Palin FaceBook posts, two speeches delivered by Michelle Bachmann, and finally one speech given by Palin. Examples for each of the necessary rhetorical components identified were found within TPM sources, thus leading to the conclusion that the TPM operates primarily as a grassroots advocacy movement. Communication Rhetoric American History Advocacy astroturf Movement Rhetoric Tea Party Communication in politics Tea Party movement--Public relations. Tea Party movement The Tea Party movement: grassroots advocacy at its finest, or highly-disguised astroturfing?