I was determined to use Edward P.J. Corbett’s Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student for whatever classes I got hired to teach this coming fall. However, I changed my mind and decided to go with my favorite standby, Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing, by Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau.
I haven’t changed my mind on the value of the former title. I truly believe that Corbett’s book, in the hands of the right teacher, can be a rhetoric book that will not only inspire students but also help them achieve a level of achievement of which they didn’t know they were capable.
The thing is, I don’t yet think that I am that teacher. It’s nothing really specific, but I feel that I haven’t quite achieved the level of experience I need to use that book effectively. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, the book is extremely hardcore and old school. I fear that I could easily have a class crash and burn if I came on all hardcore like that without the facility as a teacher to back it up.
So it seems as if the best course of action is to play a fairly safe game with a book I like and have already used. Then, I can work in a few lessons in based on other stuff. That way, I will be able to develop my skills without ruining my career in the process.
