English, A.A.

From ads to memes to media, persuasion is everywhere, and learning to recognize and evaluate it is an essential skill for the 21^st century. College Composition II builds on the foundation of research, writing, and rhetoric established in College Composition I, but goes deeper into the study of rhetoric – the use of speech, writing, and visual images to persuade, motivate, and inform a target audience. Topics of study include the rhetorical situation, classical and modern persuasive appeals, and the ethics of argumentation. We’ll look at how rhetoric shapes our daily lives, and how we can use it to navigate power and produce social change. We’ll consider the impact of medium on messaging, and how to select and organize information effectively for various modes of expression. In addition to skill-building assignments, students will create three substantial persuasive projects using written, spoken, and visual rhetoric. Prerequisites: ENGL110M/110XM with a grade of C or better. (Fulfills English requirement)