Complete the requirements in each step in a Word document.
Step 1: Think Critically
Consider these helpful questions before you begin this assignment:
Ethos: How is the creator of this account gaining viewers’ trust ? What can be seen in the account that makes viewers believe the composer is an authority and knows what he/she is communicating? Does the account contain any content that hurts the account’s credibility?
Logos: Does the account and its posts seem organized and rational? Are its messages reasonable and/or based in fact? Is there any contradictory content on the account that seems irrational or unreasonable?
Pathos: Does something in the account inspire an emotional reaction in viewers? If so, what is provoking this emotional reaction? Are the emotions evoked on the account consistent (pathos and logos)?
Kairos: Are the posts particularly timely or topically relevant for this particular moment in time?
Step 2: Describe Social Media Account
In a paragraph of at least 150 words, describe the specific social media site/app of your chosen account – be sure to include a link to the account. In your description, address the following questions:
How does the particular site/app affect the messages communicated by the account?
How does it help or constrain these messages?
Who is the account’s target audience?
For the account’s target audience, be as specific as you can: think about surface-level characteristics like gender, ethnicity, age, etc., as well as more beneath-the-surface characteristics like income level, occupation, political leanings, religion, etc.
Step 3: Identify Rhetorical Goals
In another paragraph of at least 150 words, identify the rhetorical goal of the social media account. (Keeping in mind a social media account can have multiple goals.) Is it to sell a product or service? Increase brand awareness? Increase awareness for a social cause or charity? Is it to simply inform about its subject? Or to entertain? Try to identify an overall goal/purpose for the account.
Step 4: Support with Examples
In another paragraph of at least 150 words, identify how the account you’ve chosen uses each rhetorical appeal to achieve its goal. Make sure to include at least one example of how the account uses each of the four rhetorical concepts to achieve its goal.
For example, if I were looking at Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Twitter account, I might comment on how Tyson has a PhD in astrophysics (ethos) and uses verifiable statistics (ethos and logos) along with humor and powerful images (pathos) to convince viewers of the importance of science education (rhetorical goal). I might also mention that Tyson states that the current climate change crisis facing our globe (pathos) is a reason that this topic is especially relevant today (kairos).
You may also, like above, start to explore how multiple appeals are used together. (This more sophisticated synthesis will be crucial in your drafts later.)
Requirements
List the URL or username of your chosen social media account
Write 3 paragraphs (each a minimum of 150 words)
Submit as a Word- or PDF-compatible document
