A note on choosing a second source: I really do think the extended metaphor of “voices in a conversation” applies to finding another source related to our topic. Let’s say you were interested in researching and writing about the effects of World War II on Corvallis, Oregon (a suitably narrow, specific, and not over-studied topic, and thus a good one for our project!). One way of finding another source, perhaps, would simply be to type some search terms in google, or in the 1search bar at the OSU Library website. In other words, you could just do the search all over again. But, another, and perhaps a smarter way to find another “voice in the conversation” would be to which voices that source is responding. I recommend checking out the references within the source you analyzed for Rhetorical Research 1. Who does that source mention? Who does that source cite? There are related sources right there! (On the other hand, Google Scholar allows you to see a list of works that have cited a source since it was published. So, for instance, if I could find “The Effects of World War Two on Corvallis, Oregon” by H.G. Egglestein on Google Scholar—an entirely made-up source, by the way—it would generate a list of sources that have cited, and as such, responded to that initial source.
RHETORICAL RESEARCH 2
At the start of your research into your Informed Rhetorical Argument topic, you will write a rhetorical description of an argument that interests you.
Write a brief, 1-2 page (2 pages maximum), double spaced, 12 point font, rhetorical description of a source[1] that interests you. You should try to find a source that is on the topic/issue which you will pursue for the next seven week.
This assignment essentially has three steps.
FIRST: Begin with an MLA formatted Works Cited entry for your source
SECOND: Write one paragraph which meets the criteria for Rhetorical Precis. The short length and fill-in-the-blank nature of a précis can be misleading, but don’t be fooled: it requires time, careful reading, careful thinking, and careful revising to compose one of these successfully. This paragraph should follow the Rhetorical Precis Template
as exactly as possible.
THIRD: Write one to two paragraphs which evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s use of the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos, pathos and kairos. Would this argument be compelling/convincing for the intended audience? If yes, what appeals are functioning most prominently? If not, which appeals are falling short of their aim? Root your analysis in SPECIFIC moments from your article, using direct quotations and references as appropriate. Make sure you link your evaluations explicitly to the rhetorical appeals which they involve.
FORM: Please download the Rhetorical Precis Template and fill in the bracketed, highlighted sections as appropriate. When you insert the appropriate information, please make sure to remove the brackets and highlighting.
EXPECTATIONS: You will be evaluated on whether or not your Works Cited citation is formatted properly in MLA format. You will be evaluated on how thoroughly and concisely your precis articulates the source’s argument, support, and rhetorical situation. You will also be evaluated on how well your rhetorical analysis paragraphs evaluate the article’s effectiveness in using, ethos, logos, pathos, kairos, depending on its rhetorical situation (audience, author, purpose and context). Good analytical paragraphs must include SPECIFIC moments from your article, using direct quotations and references as appropriate. Make sure you link your evaluations explicitly to the rhetorical appeals which they involve.
Extra Help
MLA citations: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Rhetorical Precis Template: Rhetorical Precis Template.docx
Sample Precis:Sample Precis.docx
For this assignment, “source” can be interpreted very broadly. You might choose a blog entry, a BuzzFeed article, or even a Tweet or Facebook post. However, the less complex a source or a voice is, the more complex I expect your analysis of it.
