Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

For this assignment, you will choose a pop culture artifact and compose a rhetorical analysis. If you choose to write a traditional rhetorical analysis in the form of an essay (alphabetic text), you’ll write 3-4 pages double-spaced (follow the MLA format) Also, make sure you’re giving credit for sources. 

A rhetorical analysis breaks an artifact (text, image, scene, etc.) into parts and then explains how the parts work together to create a certain effect—whether to persuade, entertain, inform or some combination of these.  

In writing an effective rhetorical analysis, you should discuss (1) the goal or purpose of the artifact; (2) the appeals/strategies/techniques and the key concepts used and why; and (3) your explanation and interpretation of what it means and its effectiveness. A good place to start is to answer each of these considerations with several sentences. Pick one of the ideas 

Things: Unicorn Drinks, Fidget Spinners, body modification, piercings, shoes

Watch/Listen: Game of Thrones, Chance the Rapper, Star Wars, Black Panther 

Device/Platform: Car, iPhone, SnapChat, Tinder, Uber, Art, Spotify, video games

 and answer the questions and then go back and make your answers coherent. This will make a good starting point for developing your rhetorical analysis. 

For example: #metoo phenomenon 

This hashtag was created to promote awareness of sexual assault and harassment (purpose).

The hashtag's effectiveness relies on its timeliness (kairos) and victims' willingness to share their stories/testimony (logos, ethos, pathos). Twitter is a platform that allows (affordances) the rapid circulation of messages, increasing its effectiveness. 

The #MeToo phenomenon has begun to reveal the depth of the problem. We are speaking the silences, and while that causes great pain at times, it may also promote a more just society. #MeToo could represent signifcant growth in our awareness of sexual harassment and abuse, especially in the workplace. It has already led to changes in the way employers train and lead staff.