AP Language and Composition: Course Flow Chart Essential Question 1: How does language communicate meaning? Unit 1 (Intro. to Rhetoric): Learn what rhetoric is… Unit 2 (Intro. to Language Analysis) : Learn what listeners, readers and writers need to know to engage in rhetorical discourse…. Unit 3 (Intro to Style): Learn specific tricks and techniques used by effective writers and speakers… Essential Question 2: How can language effect meaningful change? Unit 4: (Advanced Argumentation) Learn the argumentative techniques that build sound and sophisticated arguments… Unit 5 (Evaluating Arguments) Learn the criteria effectively to assess an argument’s effectiveness…. Unit 6 (Propaganda) Learn the tools of propaganda to deconstruct the arguments of mass media Essential Question 3: How can language contribute to a development of self? Unit 7: (Arguments of Experience) Learn the unique aspects of personal narratives and how these function rhetorically Essential Question 4: How does literature fill a special and unique place in the study of language? Unit 8: (The Language of Literature) Learn to read poetry, literary prose and drama for meaning, Learn the important role literature plays in social discourse.

Introduction to Rhetoric (AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION PPT1)

What is Rhetoric? Some Thoughts to Consider… “Rhetoric is what we have instead of omniscience”. -Anne Berthoff “Rhetoric, I shall urge, should be the study of misunderstandings and their remedies”. –I.A. Richards

Read and Discuss Handout 1: “Piecing Together a Definition of Rhetoric” from Understanding Rhetoric: A Guide to Graphic Writing

Aristotelian Rhetoric “The ancient Greeks developed the concept of rhetoric to facilitate discussion. They thought that rhetoric provided a set of skills that helped people –foreground ideas –discuss and debate their thoughts with others –and potentially reach common goals or make difficult decisions” (Losh et all 36).

Aristotelian Rhetoric Not everyone appreciated the art of rhetoric. Aristotle’s teacher, the philosopher Plato, believed that rhetoric was “an empty unwholesome distraction…used to deceive others rather than better [one]self” (Losh et all 39).

Aristotelian Rhetoric Aristotle disagreed; “while Plato thought that rhetoric was part of a false world of appearances, Aristotle considered rhetoric to be one of the foundations of education…

Aristotelian Rhetoric …AND DEMOCRACY: “The development of rhetoric coincides with the birth of democracy in Ancient Greece. If a society is to thrive democratically, a number of viewpoints and opinions need to be aired, discussed, debated, and eventually voted on” (Losh et all 42).

Rhetoric Today… Rhetoric continues to be integral to maintaining a healthy democracy…

Rhetoric Today… But today, there are many non-political sources seeking public buy-in for a larger agenda…

If, “Rhetoric is about the spaces in which we write, converse, debate and share ideas” (Losh et all 38) such spaces increasingly exist in all facets of our life.

“The first thing we need to know about rhetoric, then, is that it’s all around us in conversation, in movies, in advertisements and books, in body language, and in art. We employ rhetoric whether we’re conscious of it or not, but becoming conscious of how rhetoric works can transform speaking, reading, and writing, making us more successful and able communicators and more discerning audiences” (Roskelly).

Rhetoric Today… Sometimes in rhetorical situations we are the audience; other times we are the speaker. We all use persuasion in our lives.

The Importance of Rhetoric Learning to recognize the persuasive strategies of others, and learning to use those strategies yourself, will make you… –A responsible citizen –A more informed citizen –A more informed consumer –Less susceptible to unwanted influence –A better communicator –A better reader –A better writer