In this essay, the author uses a functionalist perspective to explore the tension between theory and criticism within contemporary rhetorical criticism. Theory and criticism, he argues, exist as the suspension of distinct but mutually constitutive practices. When scholars consider “theory/criticism” in this manner, several functions become evident: theory/criticism organizes the vocabulary necessary to analyze contradictory rhetorical phenomena; it authorizes the value and legitimacy of critical practice, and it makes intervention possible in the lived spaces and structures of specific intellectuals.

中文翻译：

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理论/批评：功能主义的修辞批评的“特定知识分子”工作

在本文中，作者使用功能主义的观点来探讨当代修辞批评中理论与批评之间的张力。他认为，理论和批评是不同但相互构成的实践的悬浮。当学者以这种方式考虑“理论/批评”时，就会发现一些功能：理论/批评组织了分析矛盾的修辞现象所必需的词汇；它授权批判性实践的价值和合法性，并使得在特定知识分子的生活空间和结构中进行干预成为可能。