PROJECT 2: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF FIELD ARTIFACTS
(Minimum of 1.500 typed, polished words)
This assignment asks you to closely analyze two artifacts from your field:
1)A text-based artifact (e.g., a scholarly article, book chapter or professional publication) and
2)A non-text-based artifact (e.g., an image, video, or podcast).
However, rather than analyzing their content, you will be considering how each artifact functions in a rhetorical manner. In other words, you will be looking at how construct meaning and frames or responds to a particular rhetorical situation. By comparing and contrasting these two texts, you will describe how each genre attempts to accomplish its respective purposes.
To begin, you will identify a pressing issue in your field of study. Then, you will select two artifacts that address the issue you have identified. The goal is to work with a single subject but two very different rhetorical approaches to that subject. Then you will closely read and analyze your artifacts. In order to perform a rhetorical analysis, you will need to have a strong grasp of the subject of the artifacts and a basic understanding of the genres. Only then can you turn your attention to analyzing the rhetorical strategies each employs, includinggenre conventions, context, author, audience, purpose, rhetorical appeals, exigence, medium, constraints, metaphorical language, active and passive voice, use of visuals, organization, structure, tone, and formality.Finally, you will write an essay that analyzes your two artifacts, paying particular attention to the rhetorical strategies each employs and, perhaps, the effectiveness of the texts. This is in large part a comparison/contrast essay built around rhetorical terminology and solid evidence to support your findings.
IMPORTANT: You have to choose two artifacts only, so you will cite them in your text by using the citation style of your field.
Format: Use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced.