In Mrs. Herrick's 10th Grade English class, students observed Black History Month by diving into a rigorous rhetorical interrogation of seminal American texts. 
In observance of Black History Month, students in Mrs. Herrick’s 10th Grade English class engaged in a rigorous rhetorical interrogation of seminal American texts. While many focused on the foundational oratory of Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the project expanded to include a diverse curation of voices, including:

• Advocates for Justice: Cesar Chavez (Labor Rights) and Colin Kaepernick (Social Activism).
• Voices of Resilience: Nikki Giovanni (Communal Healing) and George W. Bush (Crisis Leadership).
• Philosophical Visionaries: Steve Jobs (Personal Innovation).

Students conducted a rigorous rhetorical critique, deconstructing the strategic use of ethos, pathos, and logos to evaluate how language functions as a tool for transformation. This study culminated in a visual synthesis project, where students translated complex linguistic strategies—such as anaphora, irony, and metaphorical framing—into a graphic format. These posters bridge the gap between high-level literary analysis and modern visual communication, showcasing the enduring power of the spoken word.