Rhetoric and Civil Discourse

This lesson introduces high school students to the distinctions between rhetoric and communication, exploring both the interpersonal and intrapersonal dimensions. Through visual analysis, philosophical quotes, and structured discussion activities, students will learn how rhetoric can be used as a tool for persuasion when engaging in civil discourse.

Drawing from the wisdom of Epictetus, this lesson helps students understand the connection between effectively managing one’s emotions and adeptly using rhetoric in any situation. Through reflective journaling and analysis of real‐​world situations, students will examine their interpersonal and intrapersonal rhetoric with the goal of engaging productively in civil discourse across different perspectives.

This lesson uses a combination of visual activities, headline analysis, and scripted dialogue to guide students to understand how personal beliefs and “terministic screens” shape how we interpret the world around us. Students will learn to apply the ABC model in order to examine how different viewpoints can lead to varied interpretations of an event, developing skills for more thoughtful interactions with others.

Through engaging hands‐​on activities and real‐​world scenarios, this lesson helps students understand the rhetorical concept of kairos. Building on previous lessons, students learn to apply the AWARE framework to their interactions, while considering how personal values and situational awareness impact the timing of one’s contributions to conversations.

This lesson draws from Kenneth Burke’s “parlor metaphor” and teaches students practical strategies for effectively entering and exiting challenging conversations. Using timed discussion activities about relevant issues, students will explore the dynamics of how to maintain civil conversations when engaging in discussions with diverse viewpoints.

This lesson guides students in an exploration of the relationship between free speech, democratic discourse and the marketplace of ideas—laying the groundwork for understanding how thoughtful engagement with diverse viewpoints strengthens democratic society. As students examine several different judicial perspectives on free expression, they will also be considering their own responsibilities as both creators and consumers in the marketplace of ideas.

Using a visual metaphor, this lesson explores the idea of rhetorical listening as a spectrum of engagement styles, helping students understand that civil discourse requires more than simply hearing words. Through artistic analysis and practical listening activities, students will learn how different approaches to listening can affect one’s ability to communicate civilly in conversations with diverse perspectives.

This lesson teaches students the difference between fair‐​minded and self‐​interested critical thinking while developing practical skills for thoughtful listening. As they practice clarifying understanding and building on other’s perspectives, students learn to recognize their own listening patterns and engage productively with viewpoints different from their own.

This collection of assessment tools and extension activities offers creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of rhetoric and civil discourse through projects ranging from analytical essays to artistic representations and digital media creation. Through real‐​world applications like podcast production, media analysis journals, and the design of civil conversation spaces, students can develop practical skills while synthesizing and deepening their knowledge of rhetorical concepts.