Programme

Students should be able to understand language in subjects related to common every day topics, and describe events and opinions with fluency. They should also be able to follow and take part in more abstract/technical discussions and to adapt to new circumstances efficiently and with few mistakes. The main objective is to broaden linguistic knowledge in terms of register and formality and of more complex grammatical structures. The objective is also to understand some aspects of English culture and how it articulates with language, and to be able to describe their own culture and view of the world in a complete and honest perspective.

 

The general theme for the course is rhetoric, with the objective of developing a critical sense of language and oral and written production that is informative and persuasive. The programme includes theory on rhetoric and historical and fictional speeches to ensure a variety of exposure to different techniques and examples of rhetoric and promote familiarization with technique, grammar and vocabulary. The programme includes exercises to develop skills to write and deliver a speech in public as well as specific practice for grammar at proficiency level.

The main objective is to explore different rhetorical techniques through examples by different authors from Ancient Greece to the XXI century in works of fiction and non-fiction. Students should develop an awareness of the informative and persuasive characteristics of written and spoken language, therefore widening the scope of linguistic knowledge of formality and expression of processes and/or ideas in written and oral means.

 

     Evaluation

Writing 1	5%
Speaking 1	5%
Grammar test	20%
Writing 2	25%
Speaking 2	25%
Participation	20%

 

  Bibliography

·        Drout, Michael C. "A Way with Words: Writing, Rhetoric, and the Art of Persuasion", Recorded Books, 2006

·        Hale, John R., "The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History", The teaching Company, Virginia, 2011

·        Heller, Richard, “High Impact Speeches”, Pearson Education, 2003

·        Lancaster, Simon, “Winning Minds – Secrets from the Language of Leadership”, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015

·        Lancaster, Simon, “Speechwriting – The expert guide”, Hale Expert Guides, 2010

·        Leith, Sam "Are you talking to me? From Aristotle to Obama", Profile Books, London, 2011

·        Lucas, Stephen E., "The Art of Public Speaking", 10th ed., McGraw-Hill, Boston, 2006

·        MacArthur, Brian ed., "The Penguin Book of Twentieth Century Speeches", Penguin, London, 1993

·        Richards, Jennifer, "Rhetoric", Routledge, Oxford, 2008

·        Safire, William ed., "Lend Me Your Ears - Great Speeches in History", Rosetta Books, 1992