Appalachian State graduates with English degrees excel wherever employers value cultural literacy and the ability to read carefully, think critically and write effectively. As a student, you will study the key theories and practices of rhetoric and technical Writing, which will help you become a more skilled writer and communicator and will afford you the opportunity to apply your skills across various professional settings.
Okay, but what is Rhetoric?
In Rhetoric, arguably one of the most important works on persuasion ever written, Plato defined rhetoric as the art of moving the soul by means of speech. Quintilian later refined Plato’s definition, arguing that rhetoric was the art of the good man speaking well. More recently, rhetorical scholar and teacher Lloyd Bitzer defined rhetoric as “a mode of altering reality, not by the direct application of energy to objects, but by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action” (The Rhetorical Situation, 1968).
Though we often think of rhetoric as inherently political, but rhetoric is practiced in every field and is part of every communicative process, both personal and professional. Rhetoric, when defined as the art of persuasion, is found in science and medicine when scientists use various appeals to persuade peers, funding agencies or the public about the significant and validity of their research. Grant proposals, research papers, and presentations all involve rhetorical strategies to make arguments compelling and understandable, which is why our program offers courses on grant writing and editing.
Rhetoric is also central to crafting persuasive advertisements, compelling policy changes, and driving social and environmental justice campaigns. Companies and organizations use emotional appeals, credibility and logical arguments to convince consumers to buy products or donate to a cause or change their behavior. Social media platforms are powerful tools for rhetorical engagement in social justice movements, where activists use persuasive language, visual design and stories to rally support and effect social change. Our program offers courses in social media management, editing, technical writing and visual design, all of which equip students with the practical and theoretical knowledge they need to go do good in the world.
In our program, you will learn:
about the history, theories, concepts, practices, and genres of rhetoric and technical writing
how to strengthen your content writing, editing and visual design skills and apply those skills across various mediums and platforms
to present sophisticated oral arguments and persuasive reports, documentation, and various forms of visual communication
to create a professional portfolio during your internship and Capstone experiences, which will aid you in securing a job after graduation.