ENGL 355 Rhetoric of Style
ENGL 355 Rhetoric of Style

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ENGL 355 Rhetoric of Style

Course Description

Fosters an appreciation for and better understanding of English prose style; the history of English prose; representative prose models for analysis and imitation; the impact of computer analysis.

Course Overview

When we persuade, how do we do it? One of the most basic building blocks of rhetoric is style: the choosing of words, the constructing of sentences, the organizing of paragraphs. In this class, you will learn how to think about style as other than a finished product (something that one either has or does not have). Instead, we will develop the ability to think of style as a strategic move one makes in writing: “how do I write this to write it most effectively in this moment.”

In the course, our readings will be roughly clustered around questions concerning human futures. This will enable us to focus more clearly on stylistic variation when changing rhetorical tactics in approaching the same topic differently. To study how we can use style to become more persuasive writers, we will learn tools for identifying, analyzing, and imitating a wide variety of stylistic choices.

Meeting Times & Locations

  • Section 901: MWF 10:20-11:10, LAAH 301
  • Section 902: MWF 12:40-1:30, LAAH 401

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students can expect to:

  1. Identify, recognize, and analyze stylistic variety, forms, and effects.
  2. Discuss the relationship between stylistic choices and rhetorical effects.
  3. Analyze the relationship between rhetorical contexts and stylistic possibilities.
  4. Use stylistic and rhetorical terminology to assist in analyzing and producing a variety of stylistic choices.
  5. Produce a variety of styles in their own writing, tailored to particular contextual and rhetorical demands.

List of Terms

A list of terms we have discussed in class is available here: http://andrew.pilsch.com/courses/engl355fall2018/documents/terms.pdf