Wrestling with Discourse

My name is Brian McClure, and I am the author of Wrestling with Discourse. I wrote this book because I’ve been fascinated by discourse and have studied it for years from different perspectives. This book is the culmination of those different pieces into a big picture that helps us see.

My hope is that, in reading this book, you will discover that “discourse” is more complex than we realize.  In this book, I hope to instill in you the same sort of passion and excitement that I have for productive public conversations. Ultimately, I want you to see this book as a tool to help you see the big picture of discourse and understand how to analyze the parts for yourself, to clarify your thinking.

In this book, you’ll learn about how the language we use to think about issues has been influenced, and how technology has influenced the ways in which we have discussions.

• Professional wrestling works partly because it simplifies participation into cheering for the people we like and booing those we don’t.
• It works partly because it controls the narrative and scripts events to produce continuous conflict, just like reality TV.
• You will love this book if you want to understand why discourse looks and works the way it does, and how it came to be that way.

Wrestling with Discourse is a nonfiction book that speaks to educators and concerned citizens who are looking at public discourse, media and propaganda for the first time.

The book is written in 3 Parts….

Part 1: Context, Culture, and Content

In this section of the book, we introduce the lens of professional wrestling and explore why it is appropriate. We also examine the type of culture that thrives in contemporary discourse and identify and discuss the content that fosters that culture.

Part 2: Ideals, Institutions, and Illusions

We believe an educated and informed populace is essential for the conversations we need as a well-functioning democracy. In this section, we critique our educational system as to what kinds of citizens it produces. We examine our news and information delivery systems that are essential for us to be “informed” participants. And we examine social media platforms, where much contemporary discourse takes place. What we learn is that despite appearances, these three “institutions” aren’t doing what we think they should be doing.

Part 3: Theories, Tools, and Timely Topics

In the summary portion, we highlight what “discourse” looks like now, and how its various pieces work together. That’s necessary because once we’ve done that, we can start asking questions like, “Is that by design? If so, whose? And for what purposes?” To answer those types of questions, we need to use Critical Theory and Propaganda studies. If it is by design, we have some things we can look for. Then we apply the whole perspective to a series of current (Summer 2025) events that were widely reported on and discussed.

My Publishing Journey: Where Your Support Goes

I’m publishing Wrestling with Discourse with the support of Manuscripts Press, an innovative publisher that provides me with a full publishing team to bring this book to life. This fall, I’m working closely with:

• A revisions editor, copy editor, and proofreader to refine and elevate every story in the book
• A marketing strategist to help me connect with new audiences and make the book’s message reach those who need it most.
• A cover artist and layout editor who will ensure the final product is visually stunning and professionally produced.

Other Ways to Support Me

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:

• Please share my presale campaign on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn with your friends, family and network. Please use #WrestlingWithDiscourse and tag me so we can help amplify your efforts.
• Please recommend my book to five (5) friends, family members, or co-workers who you think would enjoy it via text or direct message on social media.

Thank you so much for all of your support!

Brian McClure

About the Author 

Brian McClure, PhD., has been fascinated by the relationships between media, technology, discourse, and democracy since his days as an undergraduate History major and English minor at Western Carolina University. His journey continued to an MA in English, and culminated with his doctoral dissertation, Internet Memes and Digital Public Discourse, from the University of Georgia in 2020.

Brian has taught critical thinking and reading courses, combining his passions with his love for dystopian fiction—stories that shine light on our own cultures and societies. A long-time professional wrestling fan, he has composed several class presentations and unpublished papers examining wrestling in the light of different academic theories and methodologies.

Once this book is finished, Brian would like to return to his garden, and to his solitary rounds on the golf course, where he doesn’t keep score so much as practices forgetting his last shot and taking his next one.