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
Cris,
ReplyDeleteI like your approach to these assignments--especially the ones incorporating comparisons over time. They appear to be well-scaffolded, each building upon the other. Since we will be studying such a broad overview of rhetoric in the course, it might be nice to trace the evolution of rhetoric in practical settings as well as in primary sources.
I'm intrigued by the idea of looking at examples of rhetoric from a perspective of slices of time, although I'm not sure how much changes and how quickly. The Rhetorical Tradition by Bizzell and Herzberg breaks down major shifts in hundreds of years, or longer. So I'm not sure how much would be gained by an examination of rhetoric today versus 20 years ago, unless medium is included, by comparing the message in different media and how technology has changed the ways in which we use rhetoric, assuming it has. So maybe that's another idea to add to the mix.
ReplyDeleteReally like the idea of project 3. Wonder if you imagine going beyond 30 years? What if we traced some sort of history about how the ideas were developed over periods of time? Some of us could focus on the teaching of invention, for example, over the last x amount of years. Interesting ideas for sure!
ReplyDeleteBen and Brett,
ReplyDeleteI think you are both right in that we'd have to back further. Things really changed around World War II in tech com.
Cris
Cris,
ReplyDeleteYou noted on my blog that you liked the idea of relating the three assignments and that you also had not considered drawing links in the assignments to your current research and interests.
This week, I've been thinking about how many options you have. Especially with your proposed projects 1 and 2, you can certainly relate that to your own interests. These don't have to be dissertation interest level, but why not investigate something that has publication potential? You may already be thinking this; it just got me thinking when you responded to my post.
Finally, I don't think we are locked into the projects yet so now would be the time to revise or reorganize or even connect the three with a theme that builds on each project.
Emily
I like your approach to the assignments. The changes in rhetoric relating to time were showcased in the introductory readings for class. I like the idea of looking at a relatively short rhetorical time period of 30 years.
ReplyDelete