There are many definitions of rhetoric, Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary stating its meaning as, “the art of speaking or writing effectively” (1980).  Through Responsible Rhetorics: Exploring Rhetoric and Responsible Action, we attempt to dissect different aspects of this concept, relating them to contemporary issues.  We tackle issues, such as the role of professional writing in today’s workforce and society, the media’s use of rhetoric, and the methods and philosophy of how rhetoric is taught.

On the News/Media Journalism node, we cover rhetoric regarding propaganda, the use of rhetoric in politics, and classical rhetoric versus journalistic rhetoric.  In the first case the history of propaganda is explored, proving that it has not always had such negative connotations or was used solely by nefarious organizations.  In the second case, the United States’ 2001 tax cut—sponsored by President George W. Bush—is explored in relation to how rhetoric helped and hindered that project.  In the last project, Aristotelian rhetoric is explored—specifically, the role, methods available and ethical complications of the rhetor—and is related to contemporary news media practices.