For Project 1, you will deploy the rhetorical methodologies discussed in class and explained
through the required readings and craft a rhetorical analysis of a digital visual artifact of your
choosing. For this assignment, a digital visual artifact refers to a publicly accessible but specific
digital visual object (an online advertisement, TikTok video, meme, website, game). Put another
way, the digital visual object is something that the class can follow a link to access and
consume.
Certain digital visual artifacts will be excluded from consideration: feature films of any genre,
television series/episodes; personal digital visual artifacts will also be excluded even if they are
publicly accessible; only G or PG-rated digital visual objects. We are interested in digital visual
artifacts that would be considered forms of mass communication that have real audiences. I
reserve the right to disqualify artifacts that could be considered profane or inappropriate. That
said, rhetorical analysis is often conducted on problematic artifacts because they are creating
social ills and analysts wish to intervene. In these circumstances, controversial material may be
acceptable for analysis.
Many digital visual artifacts may be for public consumption but may not satisfy the remaining
requirements. You will need to conduct research for this assignment, so you need to make sure
that the artifact has a critical following or has been researched by others. A random video blog
on YouTube that has rarely been seen and discusses very narrow topics might not be the best
choice, for example. A professional music video or digital advertisement may work better.
Keep in mind that your rough drafts and supporting work will be accessible to your peers during
peer reviews and daily classwork. Be attentive to the perspectives of your peers when selecting
material to analyze.
