BIK 2913 Rhetoric - the art of persuasion in speech and writing.

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013

BIK 2913 Rhetoric - the art of persuasion in speech and writing. Responsible for the course Maria Isaksson Department Department of Communication - Culture and Languages Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 7,5 Language of instruction Norwegian Introduction Is it possible to learn how to become a successful speaker? Can you learn how to write good texts? Can you strengthen or weaken your credibility through dialogue? Of course you can. The art of speaking and writing can be learned and rhetoric makes this possible. Rhetoric is the art that the Greeks regarded as fundamental to leadership and to leading people. Everybody can learn to be better speakers; everybody can learn to be better participants in conversations; everybody can learn to write persuasively and effectively. Rhetoric helps you convince your audience to accept a point of view or a message. A good dialogue builds on mutual respect and the willingness to listen to each other. Speech and writing need to be adjusted to the sender and the audience, the issue and the argumentation, to time and place; to what is called the rhetorical situation. The better these elements are coordinated, the better the rhetorical effect. Learning outcome Students should show the following theoretical learning outcome after having completed the course: have basic knowledge of rhetorical theory and terminology have an understanding for language, style and coherence aimed at persuasion in speech and writing Students should show the following practical learning outcome after having completed the course: possess rhetorical skills relevant for communication at work and for other contexts where messages are to be presented be able to present a problem clearly and sensibly be able to argue effectively and credibly be able to construct their own speaker roles with respect to context be able to engage their audience in speech and writing be able to do rhetorical analyses in order to evaluate how the speaker (ethos), the text (logos) and the audience (pathos) connect and influence the whole be able to demonstrate dialogical skills and understanding Students should show the following attitudinal learning outcome after having completed the course: be able to communicate the importance of meaningful and effective language usage be able to contribute to a dialogic work environment based on mutuality and co-existence Prerequisites Work experience. Compulsory reading Books: Gabrielsen, Jonas, Tanja Juul Christiansen. 2010. Talens magt : indføring i mundtlig retorik. 2. udg. Reitzel. 191 Kjeldsen, Jens E. 2006. Retorikk i vår tid : en innføring i moderne retorisk teori. 2. utg. Spartacus. 1,3-4,6,7,8,11-12: 196 ss. Articles: Argyris, Chris. 1991. Teaching smart people how to learn.. Harvard Business Review. s. 99 -109 Recommended reading Course outline Day 1. What is rhetoric? To persuade, raise interest, demonstrate understanding, result in action The production of verbal messages and credible texts Analyzes, interprets, constructs, evaluates, critiques Takes a holistic perspective Skills: Outlining a speech text for oral presentation; practicing oral presentations Day 2. Ethos: Credibility – competence, character, goodwill The credibility of the speaker Authority, authenticity, trust Personal and professional ethos Skills: Constructing writer/reader roles; developing tone of voice, training body language Day 3. Pathos: Feelings, appeals and persuasion The impact of text and speech on readers and audience Involvement, commitment, identification Skills: Writing second drafts based on feedback; accommodating language, style, tone of voice to audience Day 4. Logos: Argumentation, thesis and arguments Diction, argumentation – fact and reason The good argument Argumentation and positioning Skills: Developing a thesis, finding good arguments, working on coherence for speech and text Day 5. Dialogue: Understanding, listening, mutuality Communication model for mutual learning and respect Double-loop learning – to learn how to learn Tools for ethical dialogues Skills: Analyzing, writing and mastering challenging dialogues Day 6. Evaluation: Speech delivery or oral presentation Computer-based tools itslearning Learning process and workload Six days, 36 hours in one semester. Examination The portfolio is submitted as process evaluation and consists of three parts. Part 1-2 are submitted on a given date after the end of the course. Part 3 is performed in class on day 6. Part 1: Write a speech text (2 pp.) on a topic chosen by the student about a communication problem or challenge related to the workplace of the student. The assignment is written individually, but students receive feedback in group. Part 2: Write an essay about the process of the written speech, 8-10 pages. Feeback by peers and instructor. Part 3:Oral delivery (7 min) of the speech text with fellow students acting as audience in class. Performed and evaluated on day 6 of the course. Examination code(s) BIK 29131 - Process evaluation; accounts for 100% % of the marks in the course BIK 2913, 7,5 credits. Examination support materials All aids are allowed Re-sit examination Re-sit at the next ordinary exam. Additional information

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