Course Description
English 306 focuses on argumentative writing. Argument refers to the use of language to persuade someone to act in a certain way. Everything around us can be rhetorical (e.g., TV shows, music videos, memes, advertisements) and our class will focus on popular culture to develop our rhetorical literacies. If everything is an argument, what exactly is being argued? How is the argument constructed, organized, and performed? And why is such an argument being enacted? At the end of this class, you should be able to 1) Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetoric at work in various forms of public discourse, which includes an understanding of the Rhetorical Situation and Kairos; 2) Demonstrate the ability to produce an argument using the rhetorical appeals; 3) Use knowledge of rhetoric to participate in public discourse confidently and knowledgeably.
Required Texts
Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. Pearson/Longman, 2004. (3rd ed.)
Other class readings will be all digital, available online and through Laulima.
Class Requirements and Expectations
Short Reading Responses
In-Class Presentation
Rhetorical Analysis Paper
Argument Project
Attendance and Participation
For more information on this course, contact the instructor at pakm@hawaii.edu.