07/04/2026

CSCA 2027 ... Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group Call for Papers

Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group

Call for Papers and Panels

Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention-Madison, Wisconsin

April 7-11, 2027

Navigate

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group invites the submission of competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, and innovative programming for the 2027 CSCA convention in Madison, Wisconsin. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting scholarship and teaching in all things rhetorical. This year’s theme, Navigate, encourages us to seek out new paths, examine how rhetoric may help us traverse our contemporary conjuncture, and otherwise construct maps of the world around us. As such, the Interest Group seeks submissions from a broad array of rhetorical perspectives that might help us ‘navigate’ contemporary situations, illuminate paths worth following in the history of rhetoric and rhetorical theory, or otherwise map territories that rhetorical studies might traverse.

Interest Group Awards

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group offers two awards at each convention: the top competitive paper award and the top student paper award. The recipients of these awards will be recognized at the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group business meeting.

Submission Guidelines

Individual Papers: Only completed papers of no more than 35 pages will be accepted.

• Include a title and a brief abstract (required).
• Graduate students should type “STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page.
• If the paper will be a graduate student's debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page.
• To be considered a graduate student debut paper: 
• the author must be a graduate student,
• the paper must have single authorship,
• and the paper must be the author’s first paper to be presented at CSCA.
• To be considered for the Inclusive Scholarship Award, the paper must clearly articulate, in at least one paragraph, how the respective scholarship explicitly addresses equity and inclusion. 
• Additionally, make sure to select the Inclusive Scholarship option when submitting.

Paper Session: These consist of a group of presenters with (3-5) paper presentations centered on a common theme. Submissions should include an overall session title, session description (75 words), and a rationale statement (250 words or less) as well as author name(s), affiliation, paper title and abstract for each paper.

Panels: Panels should consist of a group of panelists discussing a specific topic. Audience discussion and participation are strongly encouraged. Following the guidelines from the CSCA website, panel discussions should include an overall panel title, a rationale statement, and a panel description for the online convention program. Submitted panels should include a chair and each presenter’s name, affiliation, and brief description of the specific contribution or perspective of each presenter.

Preference will be given to those paper sessions and panels proposals featuring panelists from multiple institutions.

Artificial Intelligence Statement

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group strictly prohibits the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the writing process for submissions. This includes the use of Grammarly’s AI functions (although not its grammar editing capacities), Microsoft Co-Pilot, Chat GPT, Claude, or any other generative algorithm. Submissions that demonstrate a high likelihood of AI use will be rejected.  

Diversity Statement

In line with the CSCA Anti-Discrimination Policy, the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group encourages submitters to consider whether their submissions explicitly, or implicitly, argue for the exclusion of individuals or groups in society based on their identity, ability, or health status. We reserve the right to reject submissions that participate in societal discourses that reinforce exclusion of people according to these categories or otherwise espouse views that might be considered hateful towards minoritized populations.  

Submission Deadline & Instructions

Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm CDT, October 9, 2026, and any technology requests must also be made at the time of submission.

All individual papers must be anonymized before submission, including the removal of any identifying information in the paper text as well as the document metadata. You can remove the identifying metadata by right clicking on the document in its appropriate folder, scrolling down to Properties, and using the “Remove Properties and Personal Information” option in the details tab.   

Please send submissions through our online system via the CSCA website. A link will be available on the CSCA website (https://www.csca-net.org/aws/CSCA/pt/sp/callforpapers).

Please create a profile for all potential presenters on the CSCA submissions portal during the submission process. Membership is not required to create a profile. For any questions regarding the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group, or to volunteer to be a reviewer, please contact Dustin A. Greenwalt at Dustin.Greenwalt@siu.edu.