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last.updated 10.25.11

Textbook Rhetoricians

Purpose

Many of our current textbooks use the theories of rhetoric or communication developed by K. Burke, C. Rogers, and/or S. Toulmin to teach students how to compose arguments, or other persausive prose. And in some situations, these theories are taught in addition to Aristotle; while in others, they are taught as an alternative to this classiscal Greek standard. In today's class we will examine these rhetorical theories and interrogate their appropriateness for the first year composition course.

Before Class

• Read Burke "The Five Key Terms of Dramatism" [BB]
• Read Rogers "Dealing with Breakdowns in Commuication" [BB]
• Read Ede "Is Rogerian Rhetoric Really Rogerian?" [Rhetoric Review, 3.1]
• Read Toulmin "The Layout of Arguments" [BB]
• Submit Blog Entry #5 on Blogger by the beginning of class

Activity – Rhetorician in a Can?

Using the assigned Google Document space, read the selection from The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson) and address the following questions:

• In your own words, summarize the assigned rhetorician's primary text.
• How is Ramage, et al. representing the respective rhetorical theory? What parts of the theory are highlighted? Which are de-emphasized? Which are ignored? Why do you think they have made these decisions?
• If you were to author your own textbook, how would you address this rhetorical theory? Why? What might an assignment look like?

Discussion: The Application of Modern Rhetorical Theory

• How questions, comments and/or concerns do you have about the readings for this week?
• What are each of these rhetoricians pushing against or responding to?
• Do you think Ede's critique of composition's appropriation of Roger can be applied be applied to Burke and Toulimin?