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Online Course

Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

Harvard University via edX

(4)
Found in Public Speaking Courses, Communication Skills Courses, Self Improvement Courses
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Overview

We are living in a contentious time in history. Fundamental disagreements on critical policy, economic, and political issues make it essential to learn how to compose an effectiveargument and to analyze the arguments of others. This ability will help you engage in civil discourse and make needed changes in society. Conveying a convincing message can benefit your personal, public, and professional lives.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of rhetoric, the art of persuasive writing and speech. In it, you will learn to construct and defend compelling arguments, a crucial skill in many settings. We will be using selected speeches from prominent twentieth-century Americans -- including Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Margaret Chase Smith, Ronald Reagan, and more -- to explore and analyze rhetorical structure and style. Through this analysis, you will learn how speakers and writers persuade an audience to adopt their point of view.

Built around Harvard Professor James Engell's on-campus course, "Elements of Rhetoric," this course will help you analyze and apply rhetorical structure and style, appreciate the relevance of persuasive communication in your own life, and understand how to persuade and recognize when someone is trying to persuade you. You will be inspired to share your viewpoint and discover the most powerful ways to convince others to champion your cause. Join us to find your voice!

Taught by

James Engell

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Reviews for edX's Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking Based on 4 reviews

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  • 1
Anonymous
Anonymous is taking this course right now.
Hi, I'm 20 years old. I am a primary school teacher at Mongolian State University of Education.I am now a 3rd year student who likes to go mountain climbing in my spare time
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Alex N
Alex completed this course, spending 4 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
Overall this course was very informational. It was a great beginner level introduction into how to break an argument down that you are making and challenging. The speech examples were relevant and made the lessons impactful.
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Anonymous
Anonymous completed this course.
Fantastic preview about collaboration...thanks a ton to Mr.Ed Hoffman for explaining in very in depth way.. expecting to see more of your courses sir!

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Rodney V
Rodney is taking this course right now, spending 2 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of rhetoric, the art of persuasive writing and speech. In it, you will learn to construct and defend compelling arguments, a crucial skill in many settings. 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
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