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Respond to 3 of the 7 short-answer essay prompts below. You choose! Make sure to: make each response its own paragraph; number each response with the corresponding number of the prompt; number each part of each response; thoroughly respond to all 5 parts of each question. 1. Isocrates’ “Against the Sophists” How did Isocrates critique the Sophists in “Against the Sophists,” and what alternative vision of rhetoric does he propose? In your answer, explain (1) Isocrates’ main criticism of the Sophists, (2) how the Sophists’ approach to rhetoric differed from Isocrates’ view, (3) Isocrates’ belief in rhetoric as an ethical practice, (4) the role of education in developing a skilled orator, and (5) provide a modern example of rhetoric being used ethically or unethically. 2. Wrage’s “Public Address: A Study in Social and Intellectual History” How did Wrage argue that public address plays a role in shaping social and intellectual history? In your response, discuss (1) Wrage’s main thesis about public address, (2) how public speech reflects the social and historical contexts in which it is delivered, (3) why studying public address is important for understanding cultural change, (4) the relationship between rhetoric and evolving societal values, and (5) provide a contemporary example of a public address that influenced social or political change. 3. Bitzer’s “The Rhetorical Situation” What did Lloyd Bitzer mean by “the rhetorical situation,” and why is this concept important for understanding rhetoric? In your answer, describe (1) Bitzer’s definition of the rhetorical situation, (2) the three key components of a rhetorical situation, (3) the role of exigence in prompting rhetorical action, (4) the difference between a strong and weak rhetorical situation, and (5) provide an example of a contemporary rhetorical situation where a speaker had to respond to an urgent issue. 4. Norton’s “The President as a Sign” How did Norton analyze the U.S. presidency as a rhetorical symbol rather than just an individual officeholder? In your response, explain (1) Norton’s argument about the presidency as a symbolic institution, (2) how the president functions as a cultural and rhetorical sign, (3) the relationship between media representation and presidential identity, (4) the rhetorical strategies used to shape public perceptions of the presidency, and (5) provide a recent example of a president being portrayed as a symbolic figure in media or public discourse. 5. Solomon’s “The Rhetoric of Dehumanization: An Analysis of Medical Reports of the Tuskegee Syphilis Project” How did Solomon explain the role of rhetoric in dehumanizing the participants in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study? In your answer, discuss (1) the rhetorical strategies used in medical reports to dehumanize study participants, (2) how language shaped public perception of the study’s ethics, (3) the role of scientific rhetoric in justifying unethical research, (4) the long-term consequences of dehumanizing rhetoric in medical discourse, and (5) provide a modern example of dehumanizing rhetoric in healthcare, policy, or public health discussions. 6. The Role of Propaganda in Greek and Modern Rhetoric How does rhetoric in ancient Greece compare to modern propaganda in shaping public perception? In your answer, explain (1) how rhetoric was used in ancient Greek storytelling and persuasion, (2) the role of deception in Greek rhetorical tradition, (3) how Gorgias’ “The Encomium of Helen” illustrates rhetorical manipulation, (4) the definition and function of propaganda in modern discourse, and (5) provide a contemporary example of rhetoric being used as propaganda in politics, media, or advertising. 7. The Ethics of Rhetoric in the Digital Age How have ethical concerns about rhetoric changed in the digital age, particularly with the rise of social media and misinformation? In your response, address (1) the ethical responsibilities of rhetorical communication, (2) how digital platforms amplify persuasive messages, (3) the challenges misinformation and viral rhetoric pose to public discourse, (4) the role of algorithms in shaping what information is seen and believed, and (5) provide a recent example of ethical or unethical rhetoric on social media that influenced public opinion or policy.

Which of the following best describes how an “index” differs from an “icon” and a “symbol”? An index is related to the referent by convention, unlike an icon that resembles the referent.

In the context of the common good, to which of the following does propaganda primarily relate?

Which of the following best describes rhetoric’s role in shaping public discourse?

Which of the following best describes the deliberative genre of rhetoric?

To which of the following does the quote “lies agreed upon” refer?

The modes of logical proof described by Aristotle include which of the following?

Why have many rhetorical critics moved beyond neo-Aristotelian criticism?

Terry is analyzing several public apologies from corporate CEOs following major scandals. They observe that the rhetorical artifacts share similar situational conditions (a crisis requiring public reassurance), substantive content (expressions of responsibility, promises of reform), and stylistic elements (formal tone, measured language, emphasis on sincerity). He also notices an organizing principle tying them together: the need to restore public trust. Based on this analysis, Alex concludes that these apologies belong to a rhetorical genre. What best explains Alex’s conclusion about rhetorical genres?

Which of the following narrative frames is a viewpoint that would have you see others as mistaken rather than evil?