REFLECTION PAPER
TOPIC – The role of rhetoric in our understanding of COVID-19
Based on the lecture on the rhetoric of science, and all the course content so far regarding the importance of rhetoric in shaping social attitudes, analyze in a written paper how rhetoric has shaped current attitudes, beliefs and policies about coronavirus.
You will frame your essay like this. First, you must choose ONE element from the last three chapters of Herrick’s book: Perelman’s theories on the universal audience and audience of one; Kenneth Burke’s Pentad; Jurgen Habermas’ rational society. How does your choice of subject reflect these contemporary approaches to the rhetoric of science. THEN, choose TWO elements from any rhetorical theory we’ve discussed between Socrates and the Enlightenment: the role of Sophists, Cicero’s canons of rhetoric, Augustine’s theories about style and delivery, Vico’s battle against scientific rationalism, Hugh Blair and taste).
This is a broad topic. You may address how, for example, how parents on social media share opinions on vaccines; how legislators, former presidents, and celebrities have politicized mask wearing; how the Center for Disease Control dealt with new guidelines about vaccines and mask wearing; FOX News and Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ war against COVID-19 mandates; social media presentations of COVID-19 rhetoric. You may NOT use Aristotle’s rhetorical pyramid (ethos, logos, pathos) except in passing. I will not read any essay relying on the rhetorical pyramid.
Be visually appealing. I encourage you to take screenshot of social media feeds if they support your argument, for example.
To be clear: I am uninterested in your political views. If you share your personal opinions on Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Anthony Fauci, etc., I will stop reading. Analyze the rhetoric — don’t judge.
The books is
The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction James A. Herrick. I also included the proposal paper which means that the essay needs to be about what’s discussed in the proposal