Christian Smith, assistant professor of English at Coastal Carolina University, will present "The Rhetoric of the 2016 Presidential Election" on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Myrtle Beach Education Center, located at 900 79th Ave. N. The event is free and open to the public and is part of the American Studies Lecture Series.

Smith, a specialist in rhetoric and composition, will draw a connection between the role of rhetoric - the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing -- in ancient Greek culture and its role in the current U.S. presidential election.

"I will focus on the rhetorical tradition of ancient Greece to explore contemporary political discourse in the United States," said Smith. "Specifically, I will use Aristotle's articulation of deliberative rhetoric to discuss the differences between how candidates attempt to persuade audiences."

Smith's lecture is the final in a four-part series on the presidential election. The next series in the American Studies Lecture Series is titled American Identity and will explore questions of what it means to be an American and how that definition is interpreted across societal dimensions. The American Identity series will begin Oct. 22 and take place on Saturday mornings through Nov. 12.

For more information on the American Studies Lecture Series, contact Carol Osborne, director of American Studies and Community Outreach, at osborne@coastal.edu or call 843-349-2658.