The Modern Scholar

Way with Words: Writing Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion

De: Professor Michael D. C. Drout

Narrado por: Professor Michael D. C. Drout

Esteemed professor Michael D. C. Drout brings his expertise in literary studies to the subject of rhetoric. From history-altering political speeches to friendly debates at cocktail parties, rhetoric holds the power to change opinions, spark new thoughts, and ultimately change the world.

The study of rhetoric not only leads to a greater understanding of how personages such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill elevated the power of speech to majestic heights, but also to a stronger proficiency in using rhetoric in anyone's day-to-day life.

Professor Drout examines the types of rhetoric and their effects, the structure of effective arguments, and how subtleties of language can be employed to engage in more successful rhetoric. Drout also ponders the role of rhetoric in our world and the age-old question of whether it is just a tool for convincing people of things that aren't true, or whether it is indeed a force for good that will ultimately lead to truth.

©2006 Michael D.C. Drout (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

An Enjoyable and Informative Course on Rhetoric

Professor Michael D. C. Drout concludes A Way with Words: Writing, Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion (2006) by expressing his belief that rhetoric is evolving away from formal, written styles towards more conversational oral styles in which the speaker tries to appear to be a regular person talking to regular people. Indeed, he delivers his fourteen informative and entertaining lectures with a seemingly spoken rhetoric, improvising, he tells us, from his written notes rather than reading from a script, and spicing his language with colloquialisms like "Damn," "stuff," and "doofus," saying "gonna," and changing his voice to mock or channel political or authoritative registers. His voice bubbles with the joys and pleasures of rhetoric (and of its necessary logic and grammar). He comes across as enthusiastic and unpretentious, nothing like a pedantic professor. And he wields an enjoyably inclusive set of allusions, ranging from J. R. R. Tolkien to Homer Simpson, from It's a Wonderful Life to Tarzan, from the Chicago Bulls to the Boston Red Sox, and from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to Grammar Rock's "Conjunction Junction." And he analyzes classic examples of effective rhetoric from Shakespeare, Lincoln, Churchill, and MLK, Jr., as well as contemporary examples of "rhetorical trainwrecks" (by John Kerry and Al Gore) and "rhetorical triumphs" (by Rudy Guliani). He apologizes for necessary jargon and then explains it clearly and refers to it in future lectures. Overall, he successfully communicates that learning to recognize and understand and resist and employ rhetoric can help us live more effectively in our communities and can even increase the amount of truth in the world.

His fourteen lectures cover topics like the ways in which words can change reality (through performative language), the history of rhetoric as a tool to find and communicate the truth, the nature of discourse conventions and "fictional" target audiences, the basic structures and building blocks and developments of logical arguments, logical fallacies, the three elements of any rhetorical argument (logic, ethics, and feeling), figures of speech, word choice, and grammar.

Professor Drout's two lectures on grammar were less interesting and useful than I'd hoped, focusing as they do on common errors and two of his pet peeves, "very unique" and "literally…" And I sometimes wished that he'd either avoid saying "and so forth" or alternated it with "and so on." And he often refers to the course guide, which is available for free as a pdf file, and it is very helpful, but when I scrolled through it, it tended to crash my Safari and my Preview programs.

But I learned a lot from his course, and will be more observant about the rhetoric that people use in the world around me, and will try to be more thoughtful about my own rhetoric, especially in teaching classes. I enjoyed listening to A Way with Words (as I did Drout's course on Tolkien and Fantasy, Rings, Swords, and Monsters) and will probably listen to another of his courses in future.

Such an Inspiration!

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, educational , riveting

What did you like best about this story?

I really loved "Way with Words: Writing Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion."
As someone who does not identify with being any sort of bright spark when it comes to the finer points of the english language, I found Michael Drout's audio thoroughly engrossing. Although there were moments where I got lost in my educational limitations, that was OK. I felt like l was in a master's safe hands which allowed me to remain open and able to stretch towards a world I have always dreamed of yet could never find access to. Nice one Michael D. C Drout - you sure did it for me!

Entertaining and insightful

Professor Drout takes the listener from the basics of the linguistic process in logical steps to illustrate the the dynamics of the English language and its applications. What I found especially useful was the illustrations referenced throughout the book. I now can listen or read Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have Dream" speech or the letter from the Birmingham Jail with new appreciation why these are great and how King was able to have success in the civil right movement through his speeches and writings. In a very insightful and humorous way Dr. Drout is able logically build on his points that make this a memorable book. Well worth the the invsetment.

Changed the way I communicate, in a positive way.

Where does The Modern Scholar rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first "Self Improvement" type book I've listened to. So it ranks #1.

What did you like best about this story?

I like Michael Drout, the author, didn't read the book, he gave a lecture. I felt as if I had personal one-on-one lessons with him.

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was engaged the entire time. It was difficult for me to pause.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Each lecture had at least one "Ah..ha!" moment. It's hard to pinpoint just one moment that moved me.

Any additional comments?

I was recommended this book by my new manager, he wants me to be effective as possible when speaking and writing. I have since recommended this book to, my Wife, friends and colleagues.

excellent teacher!

Really helpful for me in preparing to teach high school rhetoric. I felt like I was in a great college classroom.