For the last five years of my teaching career, I had the privilege of teaching Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, a course that had the most practical significance of all I taught over several decades.It had two portions—a semester examining style, or how to use words for the best effect, and another semester on persuasion, or how to analyze or craft political speeches, sales pitches, or asking your folks to borrow the car. Regardless of your political leanings, these ...