African Journal of Rhetoric

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Submission of Papers: Guide to Contributors

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The African Journal Rhetoric is the main publication of the African Association for Rhetoric. The Journal publishes solicited and unsolicited papers from members and non-members. In most cases, papers published would have been presented at the biennial conference of the Association and if considered publishable would go through a review process by the members of the Association’s Editorial Advisory Board. Submissions are accepted from any aspect of African Rhetoric. Alternate publications will be refereed selections from conference proceedings, while at other times, papers will be selected purely from responses to solicited calls. Prospective authors should also watch out for call for papers.

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1. Citation caveat

Authors are generally responsible for ensuring that cited works are properly and sufficiently referenced in order to avoid incidences and unnecessary allegations of plagiarism. AJR encourages submissions of original pieces of work and such that would not be published elsewhere. Should the author feel compelled to reprint or revise his/her article for publication elsewhere, written permission should be sought from the editor. Soft copies of articles published in the African Journal of Rhetoric are not to be displayed on author’s personal website.

 

2. Pictures

AJR allows for authors to use pictures and diagrams to illustrate and corroborate their arguments and analysis. The journal however would like authors to take permission from organisations and individuals in whom intellectual property rights of such materials are vested.

 

3. Quotation

Authors should ensure that quotations are not very long. If the quotation is less than three lines it should be embedded in the main text, otherwise it should be indented e. g.

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In Kinneavy (2002: 71) Aristotle asserts:

The Orator persuades by moral character when his speech is delivered in such a manner as to render him worthy of confidence. . . But his confidence must be due to the character; for it is not the case, as some writers of rhetorical treatises lay down in their “Art,” that the worth of the orator in no way contributes to his powers of persuasion; on the contrary, moral character, so to say, constitutes the most effective methods. (Arist. 1.2.4. [1365a5-15])

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4. Footnote:

References and comments could be inserted in a footnote. While it is important to supply relevant references for all ideas and views that are not generated by the author, AJR would appreciate footnotes that are reasonably long/short.

 

Footnote references should be supplied as follows:

[1] Suberu 2007: 97.

[1] For refractions of rhetoric see, Wallman 1981: 113-139.

[1] For the training of a young man in Rome, see Treble and King 1947: 54-65, Clark 1957: passim.

 

5. Bibliography:

AJR encourages Authors to supply Bibliographical references at the end of paper. Bibliographical references should adopt the following sequence: Author Date Title location publisher

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Habermas, J. (1989) The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere. Cambridge: Polity.

Suberu, R. (2007) ‘Nigeria’s Muddled Elections.’ Journal of Democracy Vol. 18.4: 95-110.

Gardner, E. (2001) ‘The Role of the Media in Conflicts.’ Luc Reychler and Thania Paffenholz (eds) Peacebuilding: A Field Guide. Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publication.

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6. On Wikipedia and Ask website

While Wikipedia and Ask websites provide easy access to information, and sometime serve as crucial ‘academic’ source, the prevalent idea of anonymity in these publishing platforms negates the notion of authority that is the bedrock of good scholarship. AJR discourages citation of these websites, except of very rare occasions. AJR encourages its contributors to reference credible academic sources.

 

7. YouTube citation

YouTube is also a relevant source particularly for citing sources for rhetorical delivery. If you are using YouTube videos, ensure you give the URL as well as the frame number or time within the video when the quotation occurs.

 

8. Spacing:

When preparing papers for submission, the body of the text should be 1.5 spacing and left margin should be 2.54’’

 

9. Length:

AJR believes that authors should be given sufficient space to articulate themselves. However, authors are encouraged not to exceed six thousand words (6000). Authors whose papers exceed this length may be asked to shorten their papers before they are sent out for refereeing. 

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10. Foreign language:

Papers would be accepted in French and Portuguese. However, abstract must be supplied in both English language and the compositional language.  

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11. Speeches:

Since much of what we do relate to speeches, we advise authors to use edited version of speeches as much as possible. In case of transcription, authors should number the paragraphs for reference purposes. For example:

 

1) FELLOW Nigerians, we give praise and honour to God Almighty for this day specially appointed by God Himself. Everything created by God has its destiny and it is the destiny of all of us to see this day.

2) Twelve months ago, no one could have predicted the series of stunning events that made it possible for democratic elections to be held at the Local Government level, the State level, and culminating in the National Assembly Elections. . .  (Paragraph numbering mine)

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      NB: The journal favours mostly Harvard style.

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12. Page Fees

Please be advised that as from 2022, AJR will be charging page fees to cover production cost and postage. Cost per page will be R100 (ZAR) per page and $10 per page (USD for contributors from Europe and America). Payment should only be made when the paper has been approved for publication.

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13. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers and potential contributors are encouraged to declare any form of conflict of interest that might be involved, either in the evaluation of papers, or, in submission of papers to be considered for publication by AJR Editorial Board.

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14. Authors’ Details

Given the blind review policy of the journal, the first page of submissions should include authors’ names, affiliation and titles of paper only.

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15. Accreditation Matters

The African Journal of Rhetoric (AJR) is SAPSE accredited and subscribes to the codes of Best of peer review best practices. In addition to the present Editorial Guidelines, read ASSaf Code of Best practices by visiting the following URL:                  https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2012/09/National-Code-of-Best-Practice-Body-Content-2.pdf

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16. Contact:

Editor

AJR: African Journal of Rhetoric

Emails: aar.southafrica@gmail.com; aar@afrhet.org

URL AJR:

http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/aar_rhetoric

URL AAR: www.afrhet.org

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Individual Subscription: $50

Institutional (South Africa): R6500

Institutional (International): $500