Has the internet changed the nature of conducting controversies? This question cannot be answered easily as different forms of human interaction in an online environment exist and controversies in an online environment have not been analyzed from a linguistic point of view so far. On the other hand, there are many linguistic analyses of controversies in the Early Modern Period. First, this volume describes the communicative background of two online discussion forums dedicated to the study of historical arms and armor. Then, the volume analyzes the similarities and differences between Early Modern controversies and controversies in online internet discussion forums. Further, this book offers an accurate analysis of the strategies used in online discussion forums, analyzing two controversial threads taken from two online discussion forums and provides insights into the individual tactics and strategies applied in online controversies and highlights the similarities and differences of applied principles, norms, and rules. The book finally comments on stylistic choices used by participants in the controversies.

Contents: Socio-cultural context of the forums - Conflicts and controversies in theory and practice - The République des Lettres and Pamphlets - Communication principles from Early Modern Controversies to Electronic communication - Individual moves and strategies: from the République des Lettres to online discussion forums - Individual moves and strategies in online discussion forums - Stylistic choices in controversies.

The Author: Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani studied English, Spanish and Business Administration at Universität Gießen (JLU), University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Universidad de Salamanca. He graduated in 1995 with a Diplom-Anglist degree. The author has been working since then as an international corporate trainer dealing with the topics of leadership, team development and intercultural training for a number of major banks. In 2008 the author set up his own consulting company and has been working as a corporate trainer and consultant for banks and law firms. He received his doctorate degree in English linguistics from Universität Gießen in March 2008.