Consider This: Week 13

So far this semester, we have looked at the problem of Engaging the Polis from two angles: as analysts (is this appeal effective? what makes it so?) and as a claimant or rhetorical agent, one who advances an argument. We have not taken the time to reflect on ourselves as members of the polis, members of the public audience . . . until now.

For this week's blog, please take some time to think about the following question:

What engages you?

As you prepare for your cohort's oral presentation, it is helpful to think about what it takes to engage an audience; your own experience as an audience can be a valuable resource. So what engages you? What techniques, approaches, etc. grasp your attention, hold your focus, get you interested, inspire you to think, to act, to question? Can you think of a specific, memorable time when you were fully 'engaged?' What lessons might you take from that experience as you approach your own oral presentation?

Having trouble? One alternative you might also wish to explore is what, for you, fails in public delivery? What is off-putting? What undermines engagement from your perspective as an audience member? What would be your personal list of don'ts?

Hopefully, this exercise will help you think about ways to approach your oral presentations . . . and offer others valuable advice, as well.

Bloggers, please post by Tuesday (April 14), midnight.
Respondents, you have until Saturday (April 18), midnight.