ENGL 150: Writing and Research (Sections 01 and 18)
Professor E. Derek Taylor
Topic Sheet for Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis
Due Monday, 9-11 (submit a hard copy at the beginning of class)
Topic: Write a rhetorical analysis of the website of a university—either one you happen to attend (i.e., Longwood), or one you at least considered attending at some point in your life. Since you cannot possibly cover every page associated with the website in question, use your discretion to select those pages that seem best suited to your assigned purpose.
Use your introductory paragraph to identify the key elements of the rhetorical situation established by the website: What sort of “voice” or “speaker” does the website attempt to establish? Who is the audience for the website? How can you tell? What is the website’s purpose? Again, how can you tell?
At the conclusion of your opening paragraph, transition to a thesis that identifies the degree to which the website relies on the three rhetorical appeals in communicating to its audience. Where do you see examples of ethos, logos, and pathos? Which of the three appeals is featured most prominently? Why do you think that is? Remember: a thesis is an answer to a debatable and worthwhile question; if your thesis is neither debatable nor worth pursuing, it probably is not actually a thesis.
Each of your three body paragraphs should probably address one of the rhetorical appeals as it applies to the website in question. Be sure to provide evidence for your claims about the website’s use of each appeal; for example, if a particular image or phrase strikes you as a good example of pathos, you will need both to describe the image (or directly quote the text) and to explain how it exemplifies the appeal you’ve identified. In other words, do not simply say, “That’s clearly pathos.” How? Why? In what way?
Be sure to conclude with a thoughtful, engaging summary of what your analysis has demonstrated. Do not simply restate your thesis.
Requirements: Your paper should be three pages long and follow standard MLA requirements for formatting and documentation. It will be graded using the rubric posted on my website.
Professor E. Derek Taylor
Topic Sheet for Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis
Due Monday, 9-11 (submit a hard copy at the beginning of class)
Topic: Write a rhetorical analysis of the website of a university—either one you happen to attend (i.e., Longwood), or one you at least considered attending at some point in your life. Since you cannot possibly cover every page associated with the website in question, use your discretion to select those pages that seem best suited to your assigned purpose.
Use your introductory paragraph to identify the key elements of the rhetorical situation established by the website: What sort of “voice” or “speaker” does the website attempt to establish? Who is the audience for the website? How can you tell? What is the website’s purpose? Again, how can you tell?
At the conclusion of your opening paragraph, transition to a thesis that identifies the degree to which the website relies on the three rhetorical appeals in communicating to its audience. Where do you see examples of ethos, logos, and pathos? Which of the three appeals is featured most prominently? Why do you think that is? Remember: a thesis is an answer to a debatable and worthwhile question; if your thesis is neither debatable nor worth pursuing, it probably is not actually a thesis.
Each of your three body paragraphs should probably address one of the rhetorical appeals as it applies to the website in question. Be sure to provide evidence for your claims about the website’s use of each appeal; for example, if a particular image or phrase strikes you as a good example of pathos, you will need both to describe the image (or directly quote the text) and to explain how it exemplifies the appeal you’ve identified. In other words, do not simply say, “That’s clearly pathos.” How? Why? In what way?
Be sure to conclude with a thoughtful, engaging summary of what your analysis has demonstrated. Do not simply restate your thesis.
Requirements: Your paper should be three pages long and follow standard MLA requirements for formatting and documentation. It will be graded using the rubric posted on my website.