examples of sound-based explanation, storytelling and persuasion: 

• 60 Words (59:04) - Radio Lab story exploring the 60 words that allow presidents to declare war (first 5 minutes project emotionally intense sounds from terrorist attach 9.11.01.  Very powerful use of sound
• Oklahoma Quakes (1:15) - the changing rate and intensity of Oklahoma earthquakes set to music
• Nigel Stanform Cymatics (5:53) - Visual representations of auditory frequencies on matter

research and commentary on the rhetoric and design of sound:

• Literacies: visual and audio - (2009) viz blog
• Reboot Literacies: visual & auditory (2010) viz blog
• 4 ways sound effects us (5:00) -- 2009TED talk by Julian Treasure
• Playing with Sound: Karen Collins
• Auditory Perspective: Putting the audience in the scene -- Karen Collins (2013) blog post at Designing Sound
• Designing Sound Blog -
• Transom How Sound - website featuring examples tools, and tutorials on radio storytelling
  

student-friendly resources on sound design and sonic rhetoric:

• Why We Love Repetition in Music (4:21) - Ted-Ed Animation 
• Podcasting & Radio Writing - Candance's curated list of classroom-friendly resources, including examples, organizations and teaching tools
• Sonic Literacies in the classroom - ILA Newsletter - Jan 2016  
  

tools and tutorials

• Transom gear guide - Advice on buying equipment see especially reviews by Jeff Towne (Towne's specific suggestions via Emily Forman) 
  

narrative/storytelling