COM 231 Week 1 Assignment

COM 231 Week 1 Assignment

History of Persuasion Essay-Rough Draft

The purpose of this assignment is to show your understanding of the concepts surrounding the genesis of persuasion as a focused area of study among scholars. By analyzing the thoughts of the first and most prominent persuasive theorists, you will be able to build upon a foundation of the laws of thought as they govern all formation of concepts, judgments, and arguments.

It is not possible in the time provided to cover every theory of persuasion from ancient times to present. Therefore, pick one persuasive theorist from Ancients (e.g., Cicero, Plato, Aristotle, Protagoras, Gorgias) and one modern theorist. For each, explain how they understood persuasion and how this would have influenced their communication behaviors. Provide specific illustrations to support the connections you make.

After thoughtfully reading the articles/chapters assigned this week, write a 750-1,000-word rough draft essay in which you do one of the following:

Describe the original understanding of sophistry and contrast that understanding with its common understanding today.

Analyze the role of rhetoric in knowledge (according to the Gorgias). How has this role changed today?

Use the GCU Library to locate at least two additional sources to support your essay.

The rough draft needs to be reviewed by a peer tutor from the Center for Learning and Advancement Writing Center before it is submitted to the instructor. The Writing Center provides free peer tutoring for all GCU students. Book an appointment with a Writing Center tutor for the review of your rough draft. Follow the link for additional information on how to set an appointment with a tutor. Please note that you are required to show evidence that your draft has been reviewed by a Writing Center tutor.

.gcu.edu/student-resources/institutional-effectiveness/gcu-learning-lounge.php”>http://students.gcu.edu/student-resources/institutional-effectiveness/gcu-learning-lounge.php

Use ThinkingStorm if you are unable to book a tutor through the Writing Center because of limitations in the number of tutors who are available for the time that is needed. ThinkingStorm is an external provider of online tutoring. ThinkingStorm is a great option for the times that the Writing Center is not open. ThinkingStorm is free for up to ten hours per year. There are additional charges if you accrue more than ten hours for the year. Follow the link for additional information on how to set an appointment with a tutor. Please note that you are required to show evidence that your draft has been reviewed by a ThinkingStorm tutor.

.gcu.edu/student-resources/institutional-effectiveness/gcu-learning-lounge.php”>http://students.gcu.edu/student-resources/institutional-effectiveness/gcu-learning-lounge.php

Use your instructor if you are unable to book an appointment through the Writing Center or ThinkingStorm. You are not required to show evidence that your draft has been reviewed if it is reviewed by the instructor.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.