Ryan Skinnell
Ryan Skinnell is a professor of rhetoric and writing in the Department of English
and Comparative Literature. His work focuses primarily on public rhetoric鈥攈ow politicians,
public figures, and average citizens use persuasive language to influence public policy.
Dr. Skinnell is the author or editor of five books, including 鈥淐onceding Composition: A Crooked History of Composition鈥檚 Institutional Fortunes鈥� (Utah State University Press, 2016) and 鈥淔aking the News: What Rhetoric Can Teach Us About Donald J. Trump,鈥� (Societas, 2018). He has also published numerous essays in academic and popular outlets on rhetoric, writing education, political speech, fascism, and demagoguery. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in english from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master鈥檚 degree in english from California State University, Northridge and a doctoral degree in rhetoric, composition, and linguistics from Arizona State University.
Email: ryan.skinnell@sjsu.edu
Phone: 408-924-4207
