Dear Eleventh Grade, This year, we will learn to pay attention to the ways that rhetoric is used in society around us. We will see it employed in political speeches, advertisements, news bulletins, and maybe even in our churches! People try to persuade us to do or think or believe what they want in almost every area of our lives. You may even, without knowing it, use rhetorical techniques to talk to your friends or your teachers or your parents. Rhetoric is not a bad thing, but it is important to be aware of when rhetoric is being used so that we can discern whether it is being used to manipulate us or promote truth, beauty, and goodness. Requirements Each quarter, you will be required to write one blog post (250-500 words) describing an instance in your life where you saw or heard rhetoric being used. Be sure to include: Where you saw/heard rhetoric used. What the speaker/advertisement wanted to persuade you to think, believe, or do. Whether their argument was reasonable