[Rhetorical Analysis of a Film]
Assignment Information
Writing Task:
For your first paper, you will write a rhetorical analysis on the film Sin Nombre. Please respond to the following question: how does the rhetor (filmmaker) employ logos, ethos, and pathos in order to persuade the audience to accept his overall claim?
Concepts:
In this first unit, we analyzed the film Sin Nombre through a rhetorical lens. We discussed the films appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos. For this paper, we will keep in mind that images can also present arguments and that the persuasive strength of that argument rests upon, in part, the rhetors ability to use Aristotles three appeals. Remember the metaphor of theater spotlights with the lamps and filters of the appeals to explain how they work together to move an audience. Our analysis will consider how the classical effort can be used to analyze the visual argument, examining how the appeals intersect and interact with one another.
Purpose & Genre:
A rhetorical analysis is the study of persuasion in order to understand how and why a text is persuasive. Analysis does not answer or address questions about judgment and evaluation, whether you agree with an argument, or whether you are personally moved by a rhetors strategies.
This assignment will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the films rhetorical situation and will allow you to examine how and why the rhetor employs Aristotles appeals. The writing process will focus on drafting effective introductions, structuring body paragraphs, and integrating quotes.
Audience, Requirements, & Characteristics of the Critical Essay:
Your audience is the peers and instructor as readers within the discipline of college rhetoric and composition. As an academic audience, they will expect that your analytical essay will reflect the characteristics of the critical essay. These characteristics and paper specific requirements are listed below. You can also assume that your readers have watched the film and are familiar with it.
- An interpretative thesis statement positioned within the introduction
- Several body paragraphs in support of your thesis and a conclusion paragraph
- Your primary evidence will come from the text under analysis
- To support your analysis, provide one relevant quote from an online print or video interview about the film and two relevant quotes from the Golden reading
- Specialized vocabulary (the rhetorical terms) to demonstrate your knowledge and occasional quotes from our textbook to define terms
- MLA style, more specifically the 9th edition
- Documentation in the form of in-text citations and a Works Cited page
- Few errors in grammar and punctuation
- Five (5) full pages but no more than six (6), not including your Works Cited page
Rubric
Paper 1: Rhetorical Analysis
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction & ThesisWriter delivers an engaging introduction. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganizationParagraphs demonstrate excellent focus, coherence, and logical progression. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevelopment & Rhetorical ConceptsWriter demonstrates a solid understanding of rhetorical concepts. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntegrating & Documenting EvidenceAll signal phrases are present and in-text citations are correctly formatted. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLanguage Control & StyleWriting is direct and easy to read. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA FormatWriter formats all aspects of MLA (9th edition) with consistent accuracy and care, including the overall document design and the formatting and punctuation of titles. |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusionCulminates in a fully evolved thesis. |
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