ENGL 101B
Introduction to Rhetorical Studies
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Instructor: Dr. George Lamont |
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Class hours and location:
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Email: glamont@uwaterloo.ca. |
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Office hours: additional times available by appointment.
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Office location:
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Course Description
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, and persuasion influences many of our decisions from the personal level to the global level. Rhetoric is, therefore, far more fundamental to our social interactions than most people even realize. The purpose of this course is to equip you with the ability to analyze others’ attempts to persuade, evaluate their motives and ethics, resist others’ attempts to manipulate, and construct your own arguments. We will accomplish by this exploring the history of rhetorical thought, examining types of persuasive acts, identifying audiences, learning tactics of persuasion, developing a repertoire of models of arguments, and presenting our own arguments to demonstrate our learning. As we proceed, we will apply this knowledge to a variety of persuasive messages in advertising, media, politics, law, and science.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to do the following:
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Identify widely used rhetorical structures and their purposes in texts,
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Recognize and articulate the presence of rhetorical strategies in a variety of sources,
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Analyze the mechanism and the intention of rhetorical strategies in a persuasive act,
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Compose well-organized evaluations of a variety of rhetorical acts, and present those evaluations in written or oral formats, and
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Create a variety of persuasive products that exemplify rhetorical strategies learned in this course.
Required Reading
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Keith, William and Christian Lundberg. The Essential Guide to Rhetoric. Bedford/St. Martin’s (MacMillan).
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Additional readings will be provided in class or posted to the LEARN course website
Course Assignment and Requirements
| # | Assignment and Evaluation Overview | Weight |
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1. |
Logos assignment |
10% |
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2. |
Ethos and pathos appeals analysis |
10% |
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3. |
Problem-based rhetorical analysis |
15% |
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4. |
Peer review |
5% |
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5. |
Artifact-analysis project |
25% |
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6. |
Quizzes |
20% |
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7. |
Contributions |
15% |
How and Where to Submit Written Assignments
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Electronic format: Microsoft Word .docx format or PDF, online through LEARN.
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Paper format is accepted as an alternative, but electronic is preferred.
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All physical assignments must be put personally in my hands to be counted for grading.
Assignment #1: Logos Assignment
You will analyze a series of statements and arguments to insert or challenge the logical elements in these arguments.
Assignment #2: Ethos and Pathos Analysis
You will analyze a selected text and write an analysis of how the author uses the artistic proofs of ethos and pathos to persuade the reader. Your analysis must draw specifically upon the text and apply course material thoroughly to reveal the author’s intention and the effects upon the reader.
Assignment #3: Problem-Based Rhetoric Analysis
You will select from a set of a scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles to find an area of interest. You will then analyze the rhetorical strategies used by the scholarly author(s) to justify the research project and persuade readers of the significance of an otherwise highly specialized study.
Assignment #4: Artifact-Analysis Peer Review
You will use your knowledge gained in this course to produce a thorough, specific review of a peer’s work. You will be graded on your review, according to how you use the concepts of rhetoric in this course to identify the strengths of your peer’s work, and to suggest insightful ways to improve the essay so that it more fully addresses the rhetorical techniques and motives in the source.
Assignment #5: Artifact-Analysis Project—1800-2400 words.
This is your main term work in this course. You will propose an analysis of a persuasive text, to be approved by the instructor. Then, you will apply the principles of rhetoric that you have learned in this course to an analysis of the text. You will analyze the author’s
intentions, strategies, and effects, and you will also use secondary research to critique the argument by fact-checking and considering multiple viewpoints.
You will bring both your rhetorical artifact (text or other subject of study) to class, and your first draft of your essay. The draft is expected to be imperfect, and this is a natural and necessary part of the process. The essay draft is due in class, so that you may engage in a peer-review process with other students. If you do not bring your draft, you will not be permitted to complete the peer review, worth 5%.
Assignment #6: Quizzes
You will write quizzes at the beginning of some classes. These quizzes will evaluate whether you have completed the readings and reviewed the materials.
Assignment #7: Contributions (rubrics, throughout course)
Professionals and scholars work in teams to review each other’s work and suggest improvements. You will do the same. To do so, you must contribute to our common lessons in this course, and you must participate professionally and vigorously in all class activities. I will use rubrics to grade you for your participation in some in-class activities. I will also evaluate your responses in our lessons. You can earn contribution grades in the following ways:
- Class discussion: you regularly and consistently show that you have done the readings by volunteering insights and answering questions.
- Professional courtesy: You promote participation by others by giving others time to speak, and showing respect for others’ opinions or difficulties.
- Reviewing others’ work: During peer-editing activity, you constructively and carefully apply course content to help colleagues improve their work to a scholarly level.
- Helping others’ succeed: In group activities, you ensure that others have a chance to participate. You include quiet or anxious team members. You do not complete the work for others. You lead helpfully, but you do not seize control of a project or condescend to other team members.
Course Schedule
The following schedule is tentative and may change to suit class needs. Additional readings may be posted to LEARN, and you will be responsible for these.
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Date |
Lesson |
Assignments |
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1 |
Tuesday May 3rd |
Introduction to the course How rhetoric changes communication Introducing rhetorical objectives |
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Unit 1: Some History of Rhetoric |
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2 |
Thursday May 5th |
The emergence of the sophists Reading:
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3 |
Tuesday May 10th |
Aristotle and the five canons Readings:
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Unit 2: Rhetoric and Audience |
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4 |
Thursday May 12th |
ONLINE Lecture: see LEARN The rhetorical triangle, audience triangulation Readings:
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5 |
Tuesday May 17th |
Purposes of speeches Reading:
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Unit 3: Arguments and Evidence |
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6 |
Thursday May 19th |
Topics and Commonplaces Readings:
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Quiz #1: Units 1 and 2. |
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7 |
Tuesday May 24th |
Acceptable premises, relevance, and grounds Readings:
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8 |
Thursday May 26th |
Logical appeals, enthymemes, and inferences Readings:
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9 |
Tuesday May 31st |
Toulmin analyses Readings:
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10 |
Thursday June 2nd |
Appeals to ethos Readings:
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Assignment #1 DUE (Logos) |
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11 |
Tuesday June 7th |
Appeals to consistency Readings:
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12 |
Thursday June 9th |
Appeals to pathos Reading:
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13 |
Tuesday June 14th |
Pathos and analyses Readings:
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14 |
Thursday June 16th |
Fallacies Reading:
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Assignment #2 DUE (Ethos and pathos) |
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Unit 4: Organization and Arrangement |
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15 |
Tuesday June 21st |
Problem-based reasoning, Swales CaRS Model Reading:
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16 |
Thursday June 23rd |
Problem-based reasoning Reading:
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Quiz #2: Unit 3 |
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17 |
Tuesday June 28th |
Classical and Rogerian reasoning Readings:
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18 |
Thursday June 30th |
Final Essay Check-in/Consultation Notes:
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Assignment #3 DUE (Problem- based reasoning) |
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Unit 5: Rhetorical Style |
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19 |
Tuesday July 5th |
Figures Readings:
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20 |
Thursday July 7th |
Figures, Part II Readings:
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21 |
Tuesday July 12th |
Tropes Readings:
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22 |
Thursday July 14th |
Quiz #3: Units 4 and 5 |
Quiz #3: Units 4- 5 |
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23 |
Tuesday July 19th |
Artifact Analysis Notes:
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24 |
Thursday July 21st |
Final peer-review consultation (graded). Notes:
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Assignment #4 done IN CLASS only (Peer- review) |
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25 |
Tuesday July 26th |
Final Essay Research
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July 31st |
Assignment #5 (Final Essay) DUE (rhetorical- analysis essay) |
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No final exam in this course. |
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Important Dates: Travel plans NOT accepted reasons for absence.
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Event |
Date |
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Lectures begin: |
May 2 |
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Last day to add a class: |
May 13 |
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Last day to drop, no penalty: |
May 20 |
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University Holiday (Victoria Day) |
Mon, May 23rd (Does not affect this course) |
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Final exam schedule published: |
May 27 (No final exam in this course) |
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Study Days (Reading Week) |
None (no reading week in Spring term) |
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Last day to drop, receive a WD: |
July 12 |
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University Holiday (Canada Day) |
F, July 1st (Does not affect this course) |
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Lectures end: |
July 26 |
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Last day to drop, receive a WF: |
July 28 |
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Exams begin: |
July 29 (No final exam in this course) |
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Exams end: |
Aug 13 |
Terms:
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“Drop, no penalty”: no record of the course appears on your transcript.
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“WD”: this means the word “Withdrawn” will appear on your transcript. This will let readers know that you attempted the course but decided to leave the course.
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“WF”: this means “withdrew/failure.” This will let readers know that your withdrawal constitutes a failure in the course. This course will be calculated as a grade of 32% and will be included in your overall grade average.
Course Policies
Equipment you need:
- Your note-taking methods: paper/pencils, laptop, etc.
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Your textbook. We will use activities in the book.
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Your LEARN readings: either available on your computer, downloaded, or printed for your personal study in class.
Professional Behaviour:
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Attendance: Every lesson specifically supports your program and career. Attendance here is like attendance at a job.
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Punctuality: Everyone gets delayed, but be on time here as you would for a job. If you are late, come in quietly and minimize your disruption.
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Emergencies: Communicate with me as soon as possible.
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Electronic devices: No headphones in class unless directed by me for class activity, and devices will be used only for class work. At all other times, please stow your phones, tablets, and computers. Texting, browsing, and calling in class are not permitted. If you are expecting an important call, please let me know ahead of time.
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E-mail: all e-mail must come from your official uwaterloo.ca address. You must have a specific subject line that begins with “ENGL 101B” before a specific subject. Use a professional salutation to greet me, write a specific message, and sign your name as you would complete a letter.
Late work, missed work, grade concerns, “incomplete” courses
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Extension requests: You must request an extension 48 hours or more before a due date, and provide a reasonable justification, subject to verification by me. Last-minute extension requests will be denied unless there is medical documentation to support the need. No extensions will be granted after the end of classes.
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Late submissions: 5% penalty per day unless the late submission is justified by medical documentation.
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Late/absent for presentations: 5% per day while the presentations are still being delivered. Once each presentation’s phase is complete, you will not be able to submit the presentation for grading.
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Missed tests, quizzes, contributions: If your absence is supported by medical documentation, your grade will be re-weighted to your other quizzes or contributions. Otherwise, you will receive a grade of 0 for the quiz or contribution.
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Medical documentation: You must submit a “University of Waterloo Verification of Illness” form, available at https://uwaterloo.ca/campus-wellness/sites/ca.campus-wellness/files/uploads/files/VIF-online.pdf.
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No “incomplete courses”: I will not grant an “incomplete course”. All course work is due by the final day of lectures (December 4th).
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Grade challenges: You may re-submit an assignment for regrading only if you provide a detailed letter explaining why the concepts and criteria of the course justify a different grade. I do not accept any requests to challenge a grade while I am returning any papers in class. Please make an appointment to visit me, and we will have a fair conversation about your concerns.
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Grade concerns: If you are struggling, I want to help you. However, don’t procrastinate. The sooner you consult with me, the sooner we can address the problems.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism—Official Policy
Academic Integrity: In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. See the UWaterloo Academic Integrity webpage and the Arts Academic Integrity webpage for more information.
Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 – Student Discipline.
For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline. For typical penalties check Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties.
Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4. When in doubt, please be certain to contact the department’s administrative assistant who will provide further assistance.
Appeals: A decision made or penalty imposed under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline may be appealed if there is a ground. A student who believes he/she has a ground for an appeal should refer to Policy 72 - Student Appeals.
Using Turnitin in this Course
Text matching software (Turnitin®) will be used to screen assignments in this course. This is being done to verify that use of all material and sources in assignments is documented. Students will be given an option if they do not want to have their assignment screened by Turnitin®. In the first week of the term, details will be provided about arrangements and alternatives for the use of Turnitin® in this course.
Services and Additional Support
If you are struggling, do realize that there are services here that will help you and protect your privacy.
Accommodations for Students with Learning Challenges
If you have any concern about a learning challenge or learning disability, please feel free to consult with me about how to support you. You may also wish to register with the AccessAbility Services office. This office is located on the first floor of the Needles Hall extension (1401), and collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the AS office at the beginning of each academic term.
Counselling Services
Counselling Services provides support free-of-charge and protects your privacy. Find them at https://uwaterloo.ca/counselling-services/.
Student Success Office
The Student Success Office also provides support free-of-charge and protects your privacy. This office provides academic and personal development services, resources for international students, as well as study abroad and exchange support. They are located at South Campus Hall, second floor. Office hours: Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Writing and Communication Centre
The Writing and Communication Centre works with students as they develop their ideas, draft, and revise. Writing and Communication Specialists offer one-on-one support in planning assignments, synthesizing and citing research, organizing papers and reports, designing presentations and e-portfolios, and revising for clarity and coherence. You can make multiple appointments throughout the term, or drop in at the Library for quick questions or feedback. To book a 50-minute appointment and to see drop-in hours, visit www.uwaterloo.ca/writingand-communication-centre. Group appointments for team-based projects, presentations, and papers are also available.
Please note that communication specialists guide you to see your work as readers would. They can teach you revising skills and strategies, but will not change or correct your work for you. Please bring hard copies of your assignment instructions and any notes or drafts to your appointment.