Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

We live in a complex and interconnected world. As the issues we face become more complicated, the ability to express ideas clearly, build powerful arguments and think critically about the claims of others is becoming a key skill. This course will offer a rigorous overview of public speaking, persuasive communication, rhetoric, argumentation, critical thinking, communication skills, persuasive writing, professional communication, leadership communication, public discourse, debate, and effective presentation skills.

This course explores influential twentieth-century political speeches, public address, activism speeches and more by major political leaders and public figures including: Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, Margaret Chase Smith, Ronald Reagan and others. Learners explore the dynamics of rhetorical analysis, persuasive speechmaking, audience engagement, audience reception, political communication, leadership communication, public policy communication, and strategic communication. You will analyze the rhetorical structure and persuasive strategies employed by the best speakers and writers, learn how speakers construct audiences, make appeal to their interests, establish authority, credibility and influence, and move audiences to accept their positions.

You will learn the rhetoric, logic and argumentative strategies in famous historical speeches, media representations and other forms of persuasive speech. You will practice critical thinking, public speaking, debate, argument analysis, persuasive writing, logical reasoning, communication strategy, speech analysis, and persuasive leadership techniques. The ability to develop and deliver persuasive, clear, concise and accurate arguments are critical to professional and personal success, whether you are in leadership, Politics, the Law, Journalism, public policy or just a concerned citizen with important things to say in public forums, the workplace or in your everyday life.

Whether the context be civic conversation, a leadership role, the classroom, political discourse, advocacy, or your work, you will come to understand the way that language, rhetoric and persuasive strategies shape thought, influence choices, drive decision-making, build consensus, and lead to meaningful change.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to analyze arguments, identify and analyze persuasion, understand rhetoric, write compelling messages that will engage audiences in different ways, and effectively present arguments for diverse settings and professions. This course prepares learners for opportunities in a range of professions, including politics, leadership, law, public policy, journalism, education, business communications, marketing, public relations, stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, advocacy, and strategic leadership.