Reference no: EM133583828

Assignment: Rhetorical Analysis

In this unit, we will talk about the fact that we are always surrounded by rhetoric. The more we become aware of how authors and advertisers and speakers use rhetoric-of how they make use of the rhetorical situation and rhetorical appeals-the better we become at making informed decisions. You will practice identifying the use of logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos in various types of texts-advertisements, videos, speeches, songs, etc. In this project, you will write a complete rhetorical analysis of a single text.

Task

First, choose a text. You should choose a professional text no more than 5 years old. Avoid unattributed pictures from Google or random videos from YouTube. Do not choose a text that has been overanalyzed already online. This will ensure that your analysis is your own.

You may choose from any of the following types of text:
1) product advertisement (print or commercial)
2) Ted Talk
3) political speech
4) news article
5) work of art
6) popular song
7) movie poster or trailer
8) company/organization/product website

Second, rhetorically analyze the text. A thorough rhetorical analysis of the text will include all of the following:

Question A. Discussion of the context (i.e. background information)

Question B. A brief summary or description of the text

Question C. Discussion of the rhetorical situation-author, audience, text, context

Question D. You may use outside sources in moderation if necessary and cited.

Question E. Discussion of the use of rhetorical appeals-logos (logic), ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), kairos (timing)

Question F. Discussion of rhetorical strengths and weaknesses

Question G. Conclusion/Judgment of the effectiveness of the artifact (likely or actual effect it had on its intended audience-did it create change/raise awareness?)