Dr. Elizabeth Howells English 5730 Rhetoric Spring 2004 MW 6-7:15, G213 Office Hours: M and W 5-6 and by appt. Email: howellbe@mail.armstrong.edu www.llp.armstrong.edu/howells Office: 108b Gamble Hall, 927-5218 Mailbox: 108a

ENGLISH 5730: RHETORIC

Rhetoric is the discovery of the available means of persuasion in any given case. Aristotle

During the course of this semester and even beyond, people will ask you about courses you are taking or have taken and one part of the answer you will give will include “rhetoric with the brilliant Dr. Howells.” These questioners will respond by wrinkling up their noses or by staring blankly—not because they are intrigued by this “brilliant Dr. Howells,” but because they will wonder what rhetoric is. They will wonder if such study is something awfully old fashioned or they will respond by initiating a conversation about the evils of politicians and their use of rhetoric. In other words, you will find that today rhetoric has a bad name.

This course, however, will give you the ability not only to counter their confusion elegantly and resurrect rhetoric, but it will also convince you how central the study actually is for English majors as well as for citizens of our global community. This course is divided into three parts: the study of the history of rhetoric and memorization of rhetorical terminology, the study of rhetorical analysis, and your own application of this knowledge and these skills.

TEXTS

You will need these texts in these editions—no exceptions.

James A. Herrick, The History and Theory of Rhetoric. An Introduction . 2 nd Edition. Allyn & Bacon. (0205314554)

Richard A. Lanham, Analyzing Prose . 2 nd Edition. Continuum. (0826461905)

Richard A. Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetoricla Terms. 2 nd Edition. University of California Press. (0520076699)

REQUIREMENTS

1. Informal Writing: Reading Responses and Quizzes. In order to encourage you to keep up with the reading and to ensure your preparedness to participate in class discussions, you should expect to be asked to respond to your reading (textbooks or handouts) in class every day. These in-class reading responses will sometimes take the form of quizzes, sometimes they will be a written response to a particular prompt, and sometimes they may be more creative or experimental. They will require that you read the assigned texts in order to be successful. The first five weeks of the course will also demand you memorize certain rhetorical terms as a foundation for use throughout the semester. You will be responsible for these in quiz format. Finally, at times, you will be offered alternative assignments which will count toward this average. Informal Writing will be worth 20% of your final grade.

1. Formal Writing. At the end of the semester, you will be responsible for a final project. It will be a detailed and insightful rhetorical analysis of your own on a short text of your choosing. You will receive a more detailed description of this assignment at a later date. Undergraduates will be required to turn in 8-10 polished pages. Graduates will be required to submit 10-12 pages. This final project will include an annotated bibliography worth 5% and a prospectus worth 5%. The entire project will be worth 30% of your final grade.

1. Exams. Over the course of the term, you will have three exams. You will receive a review sheet outlining what will be expected of you on these tests, and during class time, expect to take detailed notes as I let you know what you will be required to remember from your reading at exam time. The first exam will be worth 20% of your final exam. The second two will be worth 15% apiece. All three exams will constitute 50% of your final grade.

1. Class Participation, Discussion, and Presentations. I will insist you participate in class. At times, this may mean listen intently, taking notes diligently, discussing intelligently, or writing thoughtfully. I will take notice and notify you if you are not participating appropriately. Graduate students will be required to present on an “non-traditional rhetorician” in a formal presentation format. The formal assignment will be distributed at a later date and an individual conference will be required in preparation. This requirement will be worth 5% of your final informal writing grade.

ATTENDANCE

This is a class that depends on your being there. Your participation, readings responses, and quizzes cannot be made up. Therefore, you must be in class. You are allowed four absences. No excuses. No penalties. After four your grade will be dropped a letter per absence; you will be dropped from the course with seven absences.

WRITING CENTER

The Writing Center located in 109 Gamble Hall can be a good resource for revising your essays if you would like a little extra help with your writing. It is a free service. Please consider taking advantage of it.

PLAGIARISM

All students at AASU must agree to abide by the Honor Code and Code of Conduct found in the appendix to the catalog. Be aware that plagiarism can result in dismissal from the university, failure of the course, or failure of an assignment. Cite any sources you use at any time in this class whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing. See me or consult the Armstrong Atlantic State University Handbook if you are ever uncertain about the issue. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

FINAL GRADES will be based on the following scale:

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=GRADES BELOW 59

Individual grades will be determined on a plus minus scale.

Syllabus:

W. 1.7 Introduction

M.1.12 Herrick, Ch. 2; Vocab Quiz I-terms 1-30

W.1.14 Herrick, Ch. 3

M.1.19 MLK HOLIDAY

W. 1.21 Herrick, Ch. 4 and handout

M.1.26 Herrick, Ch. 5; Vocab Quiz II-terms 31-60

W.1.28 Herrick, Ch. 6

M.2.2 Herrick, Ch. 7; Vocab Quiz III-terms 61-90

W.2.4 Herrick, Ch. 8

M.2.9 Herrick, Ch. 9; Vocab Quiz IV-terms 91-120

W.2.11 Herrick, Ch. 8

M.2.16 Herrick, Ch. 11; Vocab Quiz V-terms 121-150

W. 2.18 Exam Review

M.2.23 EXAM I

W.2.25 EXAM I

Th.2.26 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PENALTY

M.3.1 Lanham, Analyzing Prose (AP), Intro & Ch. 1, handouts

W.3.3 Lanham, AP, Chs. 2 &3, handouts

M.3.8 Lanham, AP, Chs. 4 & 5, handouts

W.3.10 Lanham, AP, Chs. 6 & 7, handouts

M.3.15-F.3.19 SPRING BREAK

M.3.22 Lanham, AP, Chs. 8 & 9, handouts

W.3.24 Lanham, AP, Chs. 10 & Epilogue, handouts

M.3.29 Exam Review

W.3.31 EXAM II

M.4.5 Passage Analysis, Grad. Presentations

W.4.7 Prospectus due , Passage Analysis, Grad. Presentations

M.4.12 Annotated Bib due, Presentations

W.4.14 Outline due, Presentations

M.4.19 Introduction due

W.4.21 Rough draft due

M.4.21 FINAL PROJECT DUE

W.4.28 Exam Review and Evaluations

Exam Schedule: Monday, April 3 rd 6pm EXAM III