Rhetoric
Undergraduate · English / Reading / Writing
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Rhetorical theory
- Define rhetoric historically and contemporarily
- Analyze rhetorical situation (exigence, audience, constraints)
- Apply classical canons and appeals (ethos, pathos, logos)
- Use stasis theory for issue analysis
- Examine kairos and delivery across media
- Critique power, ideology, and persuasion ethics
Analysis practice
- Rhetorically analyze speeches, essays, ads, and digital media
- Map arguments: claims, reasons, evidence, assumptions
- Identify fallacies and strategic ambiguity
- Compare visual and multimodal rhetoric
- Situate texts in public controversies
- Write analytical essays with precise terminology
Production
- Compose persuasive texts for defined audiences
- Design multimodal or oral rhetoric projects as assigned
- Revise for rhetorical effectiveness, not only correctness
- Test messages with peer audiences
- Reflect on ethical persuasion choices
- Present a rhetoric portfolio or case study
Notes
Theory-to-practice balance varies by department (English, Communication). Tutoring matches the assigned theorists and assignment genres.