For our class on 1/27, read the chapter on Rhetorical Analysis (with particular attention to the questions on page 98). Understand that a rhetorical analysis is a close reading of a text to find whether it works to persuade and how. Then, find an interesting, a puzzling, troubling, or just a very effective argument that you want to analyze rhetorically. Remember that anything can be an argument-- you can choose an advertisement or a series of advertisements from a campaign (product ads, ads for raising social awareness, or political ads), a speech, an editorial, political cartoons, websites, etc. The argument can appear in any media (television, Internet, magazine, newspaper, radio, or virtual world). However, you must make sure that you choose an argument with accessible texts (written words, visuals or movie files that can be downloaded or taped, etc). In other words, you should be able to examine your text in detail. (See "Finding a Topic" on page 124 in Everything's an Argument for more information about how you can find a topic.)
Report where the argument comes from and describe it (for example, describe the content of the advertisement). Tell us why this text has got your attention, and why it might be appropriate for a rhetorical analysis.
This is a prewriting assignment for your upcoming writing project. Be prepared to present and discuss this post in class. Bring a printed copy of the post, if it will help you to retrieve your ideas.
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