Kenneth Burke was an American literary theorist, who is best known for his work in the fields of rhetoric and dramatism He is often credited with developing the concept of symbolic action, or as he called it, logological drama, which analyses what he referred to as “the ways in which symbols make up our lives”. Burke's other works include Language as Symbolic Action, A Grammar of Motives, and A Rhetoric of Motives. His theories on rhetoric and dramatism can be applied to many topics, making them useful for writing interesting essays.
The five best essay topics related to Kenneth Burke’s theories are as follows:
1. An Analysis of Burke’s Theory of Symbolism: This essay would provide an in-depth analysis of Burke’s theory of symbolism, exploring his notion of logological drama and the ways in which symbols shape our lives.
2. Burke’s Rhetoric of Motives: This essay would explore Burke’s rhetoric of motives, including how it can be used to examine persuasive communication.
3. Burke and the Dramaturgical Model: This essay would explore Burke’s dramaturgical model, examining how it can be used to better understand the dynamics of social interactions.
4. Burke and the Sublime: This essay would examine Burke’s theories on the sublime, discussing the ways in which his notions of beauty and ugliness can be used to analyse literature and art.
5. Burke’s Concept of Dramatism: This essay would look at Burke’s concept of dramatism, examining its role in rhetorical theory and its implications for communication in everyday life.
Overall, each of these topics offers a unique opportunity to explore Kenneth Burke’s theories and the ways in which his ideas can be used to better understand communication and the power of rhetoric.