Rhetorical Analysis Assignment
Rhetorical Analysis of a Multimedia Argument w/Reflection Essay
Points: 50 (video presentation) + 50 (reflection essay)
By completing this assignment, students will be able to:
· Identify the purpose, message, medium, and audience for a multimedia text
· Analyze how ethos, pathos, and logos are used to persuade an audience
· Present a rhetorical analysis to classmates through an organized, professional presentation
· Reflect on the learning they’ve done so far in the unit
Points: 50 (video presentation) + 50 (reflection essay)
By completing this assignment, students will be able to:
· Identify the purpose, message, medium, and audience for a multimedia text
· Analyze how ethos, pathos, and logos are used to persuade an audience
· Present a rhetorical analysis to classmates through an organized, professional presentation
· Reflect on the learning they’ve done so far in the unit
Overview
When you perform a rhetorical analysis on a text, you aim to understand how people attempt to persuade through language and other actions. By analyzing texts, you’ll learn how rhetoric is used to persuade, to move people to social action, and/or to make people more sympathetic to your own views.
For this assignment, you will work to rhetorically analyze a multimedia argument. That is, you will analyze a video to (1) better understand its purpose, message, and audience and (2) to identify the tactics the video uses to persuade its audience.
For this assignment, you will work to rhetorically analyze a multimedia argument. That is, you will analyze a video to (1) better understand its purpose, message, and audience and (2) to identify the tactics the video uses to persuade its audience.
Assignment Instructions
Instructions
We will randomly select the video your presentation to focus on in class after I introduce the assignment. This is the video you should rhetorically analyze. You’ll present your findings to the class in 3-5 minute video presentation. Your presentation should address each of the following:
Analyze the Context
1. Who is the author or organization that made the video? What motivated the author(s) to create this video? What might be the author(s) purpose?
2. Who is the audience? How do you know? Who or what groups of people are probably not the audience?
3. What is the larger conversation? In other words, what in our society, culture, or community might have prompted the author(s) to create this video?
Analyze the Tactics Used in the Text/Video
1. What is the main claim or argument?
2. Because the argument is presented in video form, what expectations might the audience have about how it is presented?
3. What rhetorical appeals are used by the author?
a. Analyze all the ways ethos is used. How does the author(s) represent herself/himself? Do you trust the author(s)? Why or why not?
b. Analyze all the ways pathos is used. Does the author(s) attempt to invoke an emotional response? In what ways? Where do you see the author appealing to shared values or beliefs?
c. Analyze all the ways logos is used. Where do you find facts and evidence in support of the main claim? In what ways are good reasons provided that support the main claim?
4. How would you characterize the style and tone? Is the style formal, informal, satirical, or something else? Would the target audience find this style appealing, welcoming, or inviting? Or does the style offend the audience in some way?
Offer a Conclusion
1. Provide an answer to the following questions: Does the author(s) use rhetoric to effectively communicate a message to his/her intended audience? What, if anything, has the group learned about rhetoric by completing this project?
But Where should I Start?
Getting Started
Students should begin by watching their chosen video. I’ve provided links to your videos here
Answering the questions: Answer all of the questions based on what you've watched in your video before using any other resources to help you. Note: You may have to do some research to determine answers to the questions listed under the “Analyze the Context” section.
Presenting the Information: Once you’ve answered the questions, you must decide how to present the information to our class. The requirements are a 3-5 minute video presentation, you must decide the format. I recommend using Google Slides to write out your learning because it allows you to focus your energy and embed videos and other images into your presentation. A Google Slides presentation will not be sufficient, remember, you must appear in this video, and so should part (or all) of your video.
PROTIP: Your analysis of the video should be double or triple the length of the video. If you have a minute long ad, you should have a two to three minute explanation of the ad.
Students should begin by watching their chosen video. I’ve provided links to your videos here
Answering the questions: Answer all of the questions based on what you've watched in your video before using any other resources to help you. Note: You may have to do some research to determine answers to the questions listed under the “Analyze the Context” section.
Presenting the Information: Once you’ve answered the questions, you must decide how to present the information to our class. The requirements are a 3-5 minute video presentation, you must decide the format. I recommend using Google Slides to write out your learning because it allows you to focus your energy and embed videos and other images into your presentation. A Google Slides presentation will not be sufficient, remember, you must appear in this video, and so should part (or all) of your video.
PROTIP: Your analysis of the video should be double or triple the length of the video. If you have a minute long ad, you should have a two to three minute explanation of the ad.
The Essay
Reflection Essay
In a 2-3 page essay, I want you to reflect on all that you have learned about rhetoric so far this unit. Consider the following questions in your reflection essay:
What predetermined notions did you have about rhetoric before the semester started? What definition of rhetoric most appeals to you and why? What have you learned about rhetoric through our class discussions? What did you learn by completing the Rhetorical Analysis assignment? What knowledge/skills have you acquired by completing this assignment, and how will this knowledge benefit you in future academic writing situations, your future profession, and/or your everyday life?
This point of this assignment is to reflect. “Reflection” means to carefully consider; in this case, I want you to carefully consider how your thoughts about rhetoric have developed, how they have changed, adapted, been revised, been expanded, or been confirmed by our class discussions, the reading assignments, and the Rhetorical Analysis assignment. There is no right answer. I’m looking for honest, careful consideration about what you’ve learned and how you might apply this knowledge to future writing and other communication tasks.
In a 2-3 page essay, I want you to reflect on all that you have learned about rhetoric so far this unit. Consider the following questions in your reflection essay:
What predetermined notions did you have about rhetoric before the semester started? What definition of rhetoric most appeals to you and why? What have you learned about rhetoric through our class discussions? What did you learn by completing the Rhetorical Analysis assignment? What knowledge/skills have you acquired by completing this assignment, and how will this knowledge benefit you in future academic writing situations, your future profession, and/or your everyday life?
This point of this assignment is to reflect. “Reflection” means to carefully consider; in this case, I want you to carefully consider how your thoughts about rhetoric have developed, how they have changed, adapted, been revised, been expanded, or been confirmed by our class discussions, the reading assignments, and the Rhetorical Analysis assignment. There is no right answer. I’m looking for honest, careful consideration about what you’ve learned and how you might apply this knowledge to future writing and other communication tasks.
Guidelines
Guidelines for Presentation
- Students present their understanding of rhetorical analysis in a 3-5 minute video presentation
- Student’s face must appear in the video production for no less than 30 seconds
- Presentation slides are appropriately designed and logically organized; video presentation seems practiced and well-rehearsed (no fumbling within the video itself)
- On the due date, the video must be uploaded to the specific portal thread in a viewable format or through a viable youtbe link.
Guidelines for Reflection Essay
- Essay is 2-3 pages long, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font, includes name, date, and assignment title on upper left-hand side of page
- Essay is thoughtful, organized, and proofread/edited
- On the due date, the essay must be uploaded to the specific portal thread in .doc (Word) format – no links for google docs.
Grading
Presentation
Did the student present their rhetorical analysis in a 3-5 minute video presentation? Y N
Was the presentation appropriately designed and delivered? Y N
Did the student upload the presentation to portal? Y N
Reflection Essay
Is the reflection formatted correctly? (See Guideline 1) Y N
Is the essay organized in a way that it doesn’t read like a series of answers to questions? Y N
Is it clear that the writer proofread/edited his/her work before turning it in? Y N
After reading the reflection, do I get a sense of what the student has learned and how he/she has considered how course material might apply to academic, professional, and personal experiences? Y N
Content
Did the student demonstrate full knowledge and understanding of rhetorical analysis in the presentation? Y N
Did the student use appropriate vocabulary and explanation within their video presentation and their reflection essay? Y N
Did the student present their rhetorical analysis in a 3-5 minute video presentation? Y N
Was the presentation appropriately designed and delivered? Y N
Did the student upload the presentation to portal? Y N
Reflection Essay
Is the reflection formatted correctly? (See Guideline 1) Y N
Is the essay organized in a way that it doesn’t read like a series of answers to questions? Y N
Is it clear that the writer proofread/edited his/her work before turning it in? Y N
After reading the reflection, do I get a sense of what the student has learned and how he/she has considered how course material might apply to academic, professional, and personal experiences? Y N
Content
Did the student demonstrate full knowledge and understanding of rhetorical analysis in the presentation? Y N
Did the student use appropriate vocabulary and explanation within their video presentation and their reflection essay? Y N
credit for this assignment goes to Moberly's WRI 10 college course