Rhetoric Course

Lesson 1 • Core Rhetorical Concepts

Introduces ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos as the primary analytical tools of rhetoric. Mastery of these concepts underpins every subsequent chapter in the course.

Lesson 2 • The Rhetorical Situation

Examines how speaker, audience, purpose, and context interact to shape communication. Students apply the rhetorical situation model to real-world texts.

Lesson 3 • Historical Origins of Rhetoric

Traces rhetoric from ancient Greek and Roman traditions through medieval and Renaissance developments. Students contextualize modern practice within a long intellectual lineage.

Lesson 1 • Feedback and Audience Response

Introduces methods for reading and responding to live and written audience feedback. Students practice iterative message revision based on observed audience reactions.

Lesson 2 • Adapting Message to Audience

Teaches strategies for tailoring tone, vocabulary, evidence type, and structure to specific audiences. Connects audience insight directly to message design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Audience Demographics

Covers age, background, values, and knowledge level as variables that shape message reception. Students learn to gather and interpret audience data before crafting any message.

Lesson 1 • Claim, Evidence, and Warrant

Introduces the Toulmin model of argumentation as a practical framework for building claims. Students construct and diagram arguments using claim, data, warrant, and backing.

Lesson 2 • Classical Invention Strategies

Covers the topoi and stasis theory as systematic tools for generating arguments. Students use these frameworks to discover available arguments on any given topic.

Lesson 3 • Refutation and Counterargument

Teaches techniques for anticipating, acknowledging, and rebutting opposing arguments. Students strengthen their own positions by systematically addressing counterarguments.

Lesson 4 • Fallacies and Argument Evaluation

Identifies common formal and informal fallacies that undermine argument quality. Students evaluate arguments for logical soundness and rhetorical effectiveness.

Lesson 1 • Introductions and Conclusions

Focuses on crafting openings that establish credibility and closings that reinforce the central message. Students practice multiple introduction and conclusion strategies.

Lesson 2 • Classical Arrangement: The Six Parts

Introduces the classical dispositio: exordium, narratio, partitio, confirmatio, refutatio, and peroratio. Students map these parts onto contemporary persuasive texts.

Lesson 3 • Modern Organizational Patterns

Covers problem-solution, cause-effect, comparative advantage, and Monroe's Motivated Sequence. Students select and apply the pattern best suited to their purpose and audience.

Lesson 1 • The Five Canons of Rhetoric

Situates style within the classical five-canon framework of invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Students understand how style interacts with the other canons.

Lesson 2 • Diction, Clarity, and Precision

Focuses on word choice as the primary vehicle of rhetorical style and clarity. Students revise vague or weak language into precise, audience-appropriate expression.

Lesson 3 • Sentence Variety and Rhythm

Teaches manipulation of sentence length, structure, and rhythm for rhetorical effect. Students revise prose to achieve varied, purposeful sentence architecture.

Lesson 4 • Tropes: Figurative Meaning

Examines metaphor, metonymy, irony, and other tropes that transfer or extend meaning. Students analyze and produce tropes that enhance persuasive and aesthetic impact.

Lesson 1 • Nonverbal Communication in Speaking

Examines eye contact, gesture, posture, and movement as reinforcers of verbal messages. Students align nonverbal behavior with rhetorical intent in practice sessions.

Lesson 2 • Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking

Develops the ability to speak effectively with minimal preparation using structured frameworks. Students practice PREP, STAR, and other rapid-organization methods.

Lesson 3 • Articulation and Pronunciation

Addresses clarity of articulation, pronunciation accuracy, and reduction of distracting speech habits. Students record and self-evaluate their articulation in practice speeches.

Lesson 4 • Voice: Rate, Pitch, and Volume

Covers the vocal variables of rate, pitch, volume, and pause as tools of emphasis and engagement. Students practice vocal exercises to expand their expressive range.

Lesson 1 • Credibility and Trust Building

Examines the dimensions of credibility—competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill—and how to establish them. Students design ethos-building strategies for specific audiences and contexts.

Lesson 2 • Theories of Attitude Change

Covers Elaboration Likelihood Model, social judgment theory, and inoculation theory as frameworks for understanding persuasion. Students select theories appropriate to specific persuasive goals.

Lesson 3 • Framing and Agenda Setting

Examines how framing choices and agenda-setting shape audience perception of issues. Students reframe arguments to shift emphasis and alter audience interpretation.

Lesson 4 • Emotional Appeals and Narrative

Teaches the ethical use of emotional appeals and storytelling as persuasive tools. Students craft narratives that evoke targeted emotions without manipulating audiences.

Lesson 1 • Rhetorical Criticism and Analysis

Teaches systematic methods for analyzing and evaluating rhetorical texts using multiple critical frameworks. Students produce formal rhetorical criticism essays on selected artifacts.

Lesson 2 • Public and Civic Discourse

Focuses on rhetoric in civic life: public testimony, advocacy speeches, and community engagement. Students craft and deliver speeches designed to influence public opinion or policy.

Lesson 3 • Capstone Persuasive Project

Students design, deliver, and defend a full-length persuasive speech or campaign on a self-selected issue. Peer and instructor critique applies all course frameworks to the final performance.

Lesson 4 • Professional and Workplace Rhetoric

Applies rhetorical principles to proposals, reports, presentations, and workplace negotiations. Students adapt classical strategies to the constraints of professional communication.