Fellow Classmates,
Welcome to my blog. In thinking about our 5361 English course, in which Professor Rice has asked us, his pupils, to propose three possible course assignments, I have developed the following possibilities for consideration:
Possible Project One: A Comparison of Rhetorical Approaches Based on Audience. First, select a single topic. Then select one scholarly publication about that topic (like a journal article) and one nonscholarly publication about that topic (like a magazine or newspaper article). Then compare and contrast the two articles emphasizing the rhetorical strategy employed in each and how article each caters to its intended audience. Perhaps also discuss the limitations in each approach, too. (~3-5 pages).
Possible Project Two: A Rhetorical Retooling. Select a publication. First, write a 1-page rhetorical characterization of the publications (who the audience is, what the goal is, etc.). Then retool that publication for another audience (length will vary). Lastly, write a 2-page reflection that (a) characterizes the “new” audience, (b) summarizes the changes you made, and (c) describes the rationale for said changes. (~5 pages total)
Possible Project Three: A Comparison of Rhetorical Approaches Based on Time. First, select a single topic. Then select one scholarly publication about that topic (within the last 2 years) and one publication from an “equal” or the same journal that is more than 30 years old—but deals with the same topic. Books might work well. Then briefly compare and contrast the two article emphasizing shifts in language, goals, and audience that might suggest a shift in rhetorical thinking due to time and/or increased knowledge about the topic. Perhaps attempt to bring in external sources in an effort to validate any rhetorical shifts/trends that you identify (5-10 pages).
My three project proposals all emphasize the same idea: how writing strategy is influenced by rhetorical considerations (namely audience and time). These proposals could be easily refined into something more “academic” by someone of more experienced hands—but it is a start, right?
Best,
Cris
