rhetorical analysis
ENGL 1302 Visual Rhetorical Analysis Requirement – Fall 2019
Purpose: To write a rhetorical analysis on a visual argument. You will be focusing on how the creator is effective or ineffective on meeting the rhetorical situation of your chosen visual argument. Audience: The audience is your professor and classmates. Sources: In addition to the image you analyze, you must use at least two other sources, and you must accurately give credit for the information you use from those sources. This means you will have a total of 3 sources for this assignment, but you should not exceed 6. Length: The essay should be 3+ pages.
Format: Prepare your essay in APA style (for extra points). Assignment: Write a thesis-driven rhetorical analysis. This essay is not a summary of the
visual argument, nor is it your personal reaction to the subject of the author’s argument, but
rather it is an analysis that should reflect a close reading of a text that demonstrates how the
author seeks to convince or persuade the audience.
A successful rhetorical analysis essay should focus on the following aspects of your chosen
argument:
The purpose of the argument
Who makes the argument
The audience of the argument
The appeals of the argument Pathos, Ethos, and Logos
The arrangement and media of the argument
The style of the argument
Topics This assignment is limited to three possible topics. Choose one of the options listed below: Option 1: Billboard Advertisements
Analyze one of the billboard advertisements for its immediate and broader contexts: its purpose, its target audience and how the ad identifies them, its cultural context and how the brand fits-in with the specific locale/site in order to create positive exposure. What message does the photo convey, and how does it communicate this message to viewers? Option 2: Commercials
Analyze one of the television commercials for its immediate and broader contexts: its purpose, its target audience and how the ad identifies them, and its cultural context. What message does the commercial convey, and how does it communicate this message to viewers? Option 3: A Children's Book
Analyze a children's book of your choice (with choice approved by instructor). How do the author and illustrator present the lesson in a way that is appropriate for and appealing to the audience? Choose – and have approved – a children's book that is appropriate for reading
aloud to very small children. The story must be one that includes a lesson (such as the value of sharing or the importance of imagination or why children should go to bed on time). It must include images as well as text for you to analyze, and it must be readily available from libraries and booksellers. Deadlines and Submission Methods Week 3 – Provide a copy of your chosen item that meets one of the three options. You will be completing the Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet. Week 4 Thursday, September 19, 2019– Visual Rhetorical Analysis Outline due by 11:59 PM. Sunday 22, 2019 – First Draft of Visual Rhetorical Analysis (Introduction and two body paragraphs) due by 11:58 pm. Week 5 – Peer-Edit of Final Draft of Visual Rhetorical Analysis essay (Should contain a new body paragraph and conclusion). Sunday October 6, 2019 – Final Draft of Rhetorical Analysis Essay Due via TurnItIn and an Assignment folder in BlackBoard by 11:59 pm.
Grading Criteria: The following grading rubric will apply to this essay:
Element
Excellent
A 25-22.5 points
Good
B 22.25-20 points
Acceptable
C 19.75-17 points
Marginal
D 17.25-15.75
Poor
F 14.75-
Focus: 25%
Effectively addresses the
writing task in a thoughtful
and organized manner
Addresses the
writing task in a
thoughtful manner
with some errors in
organization
Addresses most of
the writing task
with some errors in
organization
Some errors in
addressing the
writing task and
some issues with
organization
Does not address
writing task and/or
substantial issues
with organization
Logic: 25%
Consistently and accurately
interprets evidence, draws
warranted conclusions,
analyzes alternative
perspectives, and evaluates
where appropriate
Accurately
interprets evidence,
draws warranted
conclusions,
analyzes alternative
perspectives, and
evaluates where
appropriate
Accurately
interprets
evidence, draws
warranted
conclusions, some
analysis and
evaluation of
alternative
perspectives
Some
interpretation of
evidence, draws
conclusions, little
analysis and
evaluation of
alternative
perspectives
Little/no
interpretation of
evidence,
unwarranted
conclusions, no
analysis or
evaluation of
alternative
perspectives
Style/Correctness:
25%
Consistently uses language
that is precise, varied, and
vivid; employs diverse and
appropriate sentence
structure throughout; No
errors in grammar,
punctuation, and spelling;
MLA/APA formatting is
correct
Uses language that
is precise, varied,
and vivid; employs
diverse and
appropriate sentence
structure
throughout; Few
errors in grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling MLA/APA
formatting is correct
Uses language that
is precise, varied,
and vivid; some
sentence structure
issues;
Some errors in
grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling; some
issues with
MLA/APA
formatting
Language used
needs to be more
precise and varied;
sentence structure
issues;
Many errors in
grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling; many
issues with
MLA/APA
formatting
Language is not
academic in nature;
major sentence
structure issues;
Major errors in
grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling; MLA/APA
formatting incorrect
Research: 25%
Consistently selects
appropriate source material;
correctly integrates outside
source information; cites
information accurately
Selects appropriate
source material;
correctly integrates
outside source
information; cites
information
accurately
Most source
material is
appropriate;
correctly integrates
outside source
information; cites
information
accurately
Some source
material is
appropriate; poor
integration of
outside source
material; incorrect
citation of
information
Inappropriate source
material; poor/no
integration of source
material; incorrect
citation of
information
Total: