The Craft of Writing

This course explores theories and practices of influence, and the role of the language therein.

The rhetorical approach to reading and writing takes seriously the idea that language is a force in the world. Our words do not simply represent ideas. Rather, our words transform our situations and influence our actions. With this in mind, we will learn to read and write persuasively, ethically, and with an eye toward the relationship between language and society.

To focus our inquiry, we will explore the emergence of influencing and influencers over time. In the Internet Age, social media has significantly supplanted more traditional, more regulated influence channels. Commercial brands and political advocates employ sophisticated endorsement strategies to leverage fame, psychological biases, and technological innovation to shape users’, consumers’, and voters’ preferences in ways that stretch ethical boundaries.

The Language of Influence introduces students to the craft of academic reading and writing through inquiry into the following questions about influence in society:
– What role does technology play in the language of influence?
– Who is the influencer and how do they influence?
– What is the relationship between influence and truth?