Canon of style in the speech classroom: "Translating" Shakespeare, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and One Direction.
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| Title: | Canon of style in the speech classroom: "Translating" Shakespeare, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and One Direction. |
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| Authors: | Koons, Caroline1 (AUTHOR) koonsc@erau.edu |
| Source: | Communication Teacher. Apr2026, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p138-142. 5p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Diction, *Learning, *Rhetorical theory, *Rhetoric, *Public speaking, Early modern English drama, Paraphrase |
| Reviews & Products: | Romeo & Juliet (Play : Shakespeare) |
| People: | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616, Cicero, Marcus Tullius, 106 B.C.-43 B.C. |
| Abstract: | Cicero's third canon of rhetoric, style, focuses on the use of word choice suitable to the occasion and audience. This exercise uses Romeo's soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet, Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back," and One Direction's "That's What Makes You Beautiful" to teach Cicero's high, middle, and low style. Through this activity, students learn how to "translate" between styles, tailoring the sentiments of the text to a new style. Courses: Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Rhetoric. Objectives: This scaffolded lesson on the canon of style is designed to help students (1) understand rhetorical conventions of style; (2) identify the different characteristics of high, middle, and low style as described in Rhetorica ad Herennium; and (3) practice "translating" between the different styles to fit the speaker's exigences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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