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becoming human
History of Rhetoric 2 | Spring 2019



“‘What is rhetoric?’ […] ‘The art of never finally answering that question’ […] [but] even if rhetoric is the art of never finally answering the
question, "What is rhetoric?" this art would necessarily include all attempts to finally answer that question.


-John Muckelbauer, “Returns of the Question”

rhetorical database Project1

8-10 (15-20) Pages or the Equivalent
Due: May 10

For the final semester project, students will draw from all Annotations, MicroResponses, and Elaborations to
compose an extended response to some form of the question: “What is Rhetoric?” The scope for this final
project should fall somewhere in the range of 8-10/15-20 pages (or the equivalent in other media).


The purpose of this assignment is to:

• Examine a particular rhetorical concept

• Further develop prior work in the course
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of rhetorical theory and practice 


As in previous projects, successful assignments will focus on a single concept and make an interesting claim
about that concept’s relation to our understanding of rhetoric. To help provide some foundation for the project,
it might help to explore your chosen concept through an application to or an analysis of a particular object,
person, or event of rhetorical significance. Such objects of analysis should themselves be interesting or be made
to be interesting. Be advised: traditional figures and common rhetorical events (i.e. politicians or advertising) are
more difficult to make interesting.


Again, successful assignments will select a single concept (theme, figure, idea) that we have discussed in the
course readings and compose an elaborated response for that concept. Identify a theme, make an arguable claim
about that theme, and support that claim with citation from our texts and/or models and examples you may
find in history or popular culture.


One way to do this is by writing a traditional essay. These assignments may also divert from the traditional essay.
You are welcome to use different media (audio, visual, video) and/or alternative genres (podcast, dialogue,
poster, short video trailer, etc). If you want to go this route, have a quick discussion with me, so I can advise you
on feasibility.

1 Assignments developed and composed by Casey Boyle at UT Austin.

Nathaniel Rivers | English 4030/5030