In classical rhetoric, “invention” is the term used to talk about the process of coming up with, or “discovering,” arguments. In On Rhetoric, Aristotle identifies general strategies for invention as well as strategies that are specific to certain genres of oratory. Absent from the genres of writing considered by Aristotle is stand-up comedy, but we can forgive him for his oversight because stand-up comedy didn’t really exist in the fourth century BCE. Our goal in this class, then, will be to identify the strategies of rhetorical invention specific to the genre of stand-up comedy writing. In order to do this we will first learn more about rhetorical invention, complicating Aristotle’s description by considering how the concept of genre contributes to invention and to what degree the rhetor’s social position influences the “discovery” of quips. After analyzing transcripts of routines from stand-up comedians for their use of invention, we will attempt to use the techniques we have identified to do our own comedy writing. Please be aware, however, that this course requires some heavy theoretical reading and is not a creative writing class. Students should expect to write three analytical papers related to the topic of rhetorical invention based on course readings and their own research and analysis of comedic rhetoric. This writing will be in addition to the frequent, smaller writing assignments that students will be asked to complete on a regular basis.

Students from outside of the English department can expect to learn about the concept of “genre” and practice an analytical method that will help you identify what is expected from your work in genres such as lab reports or business proposals, and to invent writing in these genres. That said, we will not be spending time working in these genres; our genre of choice will be stand-up comedy.

Prerequisites:

While 281 has no formal prerequisite, this is an intermediate writing course, and instructors expect entering students to know how to formulate claims, integrate evidence, demonstrate awareness of audience, and structure coherent sentences, paragraphs and essays. Thus we strongly encourage students to complete an introductory (100 level) writing course before enrolling in English 281.