Tag(s)
RA, PA, HI
Admission Requirements
Prerequisite for this course is Argumentative and Rhetorical Analysis / Argumentation and Debate. Students that do not meet this prerequisite should contact the instructor regarding the required competencies before course allocation.
Description
What is the difference between a minister saying that something is ‘possible’ or that it is ‘not impossible’? And what exactly is the rhetorical effect when someone says ‘I don’t want to blame you for X, but…’ – thereby exactly blaming the addressee for ‘X’ (a figure of speech called ‘praeteritio’)? Researchers from various linguistic disciplines have found evidence that even the slightest difference in the formulation of an argument or a standpoint can impose a different effect on a reader/hearer. In this course we will examine persuasion that is gained through such strategic choices of words. Speakers can ‘construe’ or ‘frame’ the same phenomenon in different ways (see the example of ‘possible/not impossible’),and these choices have rhetorical consequences. We will investigate the power of words by studying insights from critical discourse analysis, stylistics and modern persuasion research, and we will apply these insights to actual texts. Next to this theoretical component, students will practice through formulating the same text in different styles and learn to reflect on their own word choice.
Course Objectives
Knowledge of the most important theories on stylistics
Gain a broad familiarity with stylistic means that contribute to the persuasiveness of texts
Being capable of using these theories for a stylistic analysis of actual texts
Being capable of using different styles and reflecting on them
Mode of Instruction
In each class course we will discuss parts of books and articles. Active participation is paramount. The reading work has to be prepared by uploading weekly web postings; during class all students are expected to engage in discussions. We will apply the theoretical insights to actual texts, and students will practice different styles of writing. Each week a number of students will be asked to prepare and lead parts of the group discussions about the assigned literature.
Assessment
Assessment: In-class participation
Percentage: 10%
Deadline: Ongoing Weeks 1-7
Assessment: Weekly web-postings (300 words)
Percentage: 25%
Deadline: Ongoing Weeks 1-7
Assessment: Group presentations (two per student)
Percentage: 25%
Deadline: Ongoing Weeks 1-7
Assessment: Final research essay (3000 words)
Percentage: 40%
Deadline: Week 8
Literature
The literature for each class will be placed on Blackboard. Students are required to print the compulsory literature themselves, and bring to class. In the case that material cannot appear on Blackboard due to copyright restrictions, a web link will be placed. Again, students will then need to retrieve and print the compulsory literature themselves.
Contact Information
Drs. Maarten van Leeuwen, m.van.leeuwen@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Key concepts: style, framing and inherent argumentative force of language use
Week 2: Rhetorical force of Metaphor
Week 3: Attribute framing / Negation
Week 4: Nominalization and Passivization
Week 5: Speaker and audience construction: strategic use of pronouns
Week 6: Generating applause / Words that work
Week 7: Verbal certainty / General review
Week 8: Reading week (no classroom hours)
Preparation for first session
Homework for the first session will be published on blackboard, a week before the course starts.