Prepare for rhetorical essay

• Prepare for Essay 1, by breaking down a "text" in to its different parts 


• Utilize a "text" that you are more comfortable with, from an entertainment standpoint, to introduce the first step of a rhetorical analysis in a non-traditional academic format. 

Key Terms 

• Rhetoric - the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.


• Rhetorical Analysis - break down a text into parts and then explain how the parts work together to create a certain effect—whether to persuade, entertain or inform (Purpose). 


• Rhetorical Appeals - See readings in next section. 

Readings

1. Review Chapter Five 


2. Appealing to Audiences


3. Rhetorical Appeals 

Assignment

1. Select a visual text (movie, television ... etc) - This can be anything. Pick something you enjoy, have some fun with this assignment.  


2. Re-Watch your selection 


3. Prior to and while watching, identify the parts listed below. When you are done, in an organized manner post to the discussion board. Then respond to a classmates post with  thoughtful engagement, as if you were having a discussion about their choice. 

• Title 


• Author/Director


• Publication/Release Date - And briefly explain how you think this impacts analysis


• Thesis - What is the main point? Now, with a work of fiction this is going to be more subjective - So, no wrong answers here. 


• Author's Purpose - Fiction is primarily to entertain us, but is there another purpose - Is the director trying to inform us of an important issue? This may be connected to thesis. Think deeper below the surface. 


• Intended Audience - Be specific. What demographics does this appeal to?  (age, gender, race, socio-economic ... etc.) How does the intended audience factor in to the choices the director made and how an audience responds? 


• Methods - How does text present the main ideas?  - strong dialogue, visually, music .. etc. (With non-fiction, this will be the evidence, in fiction you can be a creative) 


• Tone/Voice - How would you describe the style of the text? (comedy, drama .. etc.) Was it an effective choice? Why or why not? 


• Rhetorical Appeals - Which of the appeals does the text rely on primarily? All may be used, but what would be the order of importance, from your analysis? Be sure to explain.