While studying Communication at Hope College, Rachel Johnson began a project in Comm 260: Rhetorical Methods in Communication studying Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb.” This led to a research collaboration between Ms. Johnson and Dr. Sarah Kornfield, rhetorically analyzing Gorman’s inaugural poem and the vision of democracy Gorman offered in her performance.
This research was recently published in Rhetoric & Public Affairs, a top research journal in the field of rhetoric.
Through this research, Ms. Johnson and Dr. Kornfield not only studied how inaugural ceremonies communicate but specifically focused on the persuasive affordances of Gorman’s political poem, and the genre it participates in, which is known as the Black jeremiad.
Ms. Johnson joins us for a brief interview on this research experience!
What is a jeremiad?
Named for the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, the jeremiad is a narrative structure that typically follows three stages through a past, present and future: (1) an affirmation of the good life that once was, (2) a crisis or violation of the good life, and (3) a restoration through a return to the good life. Our research showed that U.S. political discourse has frequently used jeremiads to optimistically look ahead to a new era.
What did you find meaningful about this research?
It was meaningful to engage with poetry and politics—two seemingly unrelated topics—in tandem. Starting the project in the context of the 2020 presidential election and 2021 inauguration was a unique way to process the political climate. As a result of our research, my eyes were trained to see power dynamics and patterns at play in language all around us.
What would you say to a Hope undergrad who is considering doing research with a Comm faculty member?
Undergraduate research looks different for each project and faculty member so, even if you’ve never considered yourself a “researcher,” be curious about the process. Researching with Dr. Kornfield deepened my experience in the communication department and opened up opportunities beyond it. It was definitely a highlight of my time at Hope.
How are you using your Hope Comm major in your career?
As a writer at an international NGO, I am constantly analyzing public rhetoric and how it shapes people’s perceptions of injustice. My communication major and rhetorical research prepared me to be a steward of ethical communication and developed me as a creative and critical thinker.