ABSTRACT
In the previous two chapters, a detailed description has been given of Atkinson’s theory of rhetoric. In this theory, the synchronisation of speech and applause plays a central role. Atkinson observed that applause is typically very finely synchronised with speech: in the vast majority of cases, it tends to start either just before or immediately after the speaker reaches a completion point, such as the end of a sentence (Atkinson, 1984a, p. 33). Furthermore, he argued that synchronisation is in itself good evidence for the effectiveness of rhetorical devices used to invite applause. In order for the audience to time their applause with such a fine degree of precision, the speaker must in some way be providing them with advance notice of when and where to clap; this is exactly what rhetorical devices achieve.
