Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Mar 2024

Back to the Basics: Uncovering the Rhetoric Student Learning Outcome

Lisa Melonçon University of South Florida ; Jessica Griffith University of South Florida ; Carolyn Gubala University of California, Davis ; Tanya Zarlengo University of South Florida

Abstract

Using an evaluative approach within a professional communication service course, we used student documents and instructor feedback to uncover how students and instructors were understanding the rhetoric student learning outcome (SLO). Because rhetoric is central to the course, our driving questions were, Can we locate language that actualizes the rhetoric SLO in student documents? How does faculty feedback articulate the rhetoric SLO to facilitate effective revision? Overall, we found that whether identifying rhetoric in student documents or instructor feedback, the interpretation was varied and opens up room in pedagogical practices. We offer three implications for teaching: enhancing attention to teaching rhetoric, improving assignment design, and focusing on professional development for faculty.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2024-03-01
DOI
10.1177/23294906231213631
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy teacher development revision professional writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Gubala et al. (2025)
    Bringing the Technical and Professional Communication Service Course Back
    Technical Communication Quarterly

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