A rhetorical criticism conference as an instructional strategy for the undergraduate student

Abstract

In recent years the popularity of rhetoric courses has declined in many departments oriented toward “reality based”; courses such as public relations and television production. To demonstrate that rhetoric can be useful and challenging, a course in rhetorical criticism was designed with a public conference as a major component. This instructional strategy was successful in: (1) demonstrating that rhetorical criticism can be challenging; (2) motivating students to view rhetorical criticism as an integral part of their communication studies; and (3) educating the University community in the substance and methodology of rhetorical criticism.