Writing and Rhetoric

Professor Kimberly Drake
Assistant Professor Glenn Simshaw

The Writing and Rhetoric major focuses on persuasion in nonfiction prose genres, the study of which is crucial to communication across national, cultural, and ideological borders. Students examine the logical, linguistic, and aesthetic merits of arguments in various media and across broad domains. Students also consider these arguments’ kairos: specific historical and cultural contexts, negotiations over power, and performances of identity and credibility. As students explore and practice genres of writing and rhetorical persuasion, they develop their ability to interpret and analyze complex messages and to respond with thoughtful, effective communication to a wide range of audiences. Majors and minors in Writing and Rhetoric combine well with other majors at the Claremont Colleges, allowing graduates to embed disciplinary expertise in accessible and cogent prose for a general audience, and to extend their academic studies to contemporary political participation, social movements and protest, social media, and other evolving forms of discourse.

Writing and Rhetoric

Programs