SPRING 2008
Tues. & Thurs., 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Solms 207
ENGLISH 5730 U/G
Dr. Richard Nordquist
e-mail: engl5730@lycos.com
rhetoric
"the art of effective expression
and the persuasive use of
language"
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A member of
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Tower of Babel, Brueghel
A fast-paced introduction to the study of rhetoric,
from Aristotle to the present,
with an emphasis on argumentative strategies and on
rhetorical and stylistic analyses of essays, stories, speeches, poems, advertisements, lawn ornaments, t-shirts, and other forms of discourse.
In its broadest sense, rhetoric concerns both the practice and study of effective communication in literature and art as
well as in social and political discourse. Until well into
the 19th century, rhetoric was a fundamental area of academic study and a direct influence on the compositional
styles of poets, playwrights, and novelists. Thus, an understanding of rhetoric can enrich our
appreciation of literary works.
In addition, as an innately pluralistic form of criticism, rhetorical analysis may serve as a bridge between the study of literature and the study of other forms of discourse: speeches, advertisements, reportage, debates, television news--all manner of texts, images, icons, and symbols. Therefore, the skills practiced in the course should be useful not only to students of literature but also to those preparing for careers in law,
business, politics, public relations, education, and journalism.
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recommended blogs:
The Blogora
"The Blogora provides a collaborative space for connecting
rhetoric, rhetorical methods and theories, and rhetoricians with
public life. The Blogora is an initiative of the Rhetoric Society
of America and is hosted by the Computer Writing and Research Lab,
part of the Division of Rhetoric and Composition at The
University of Texas at Austin."
It Figures
"Our man Figaro has a head for figures. He rips out the
innards of the things people say and reveals the
rhetorical tricks and pratfalls."
