PLEASE BASE MY ENTIRE ESSAY OFF OF THIS TED TALK LINKED: https://www.ted.co
m/talks/molly_wright_how_every_child_can_thrive_by_five?language=en&subtitle=en
– COPY AND PASTE THE LINK ABOVE TO WATCH THE TED TALK.
TEDTalk-ing through an Argument: Rhetorical Analysis
Minimum Requirements:
1200-1400 words (approx. 4-5 pages) (Don’t be a word-count watcher!)
Seven paragraphs
Introduction with a bold thesis statement
Summary of topic
2 paragraphs on strongest rhetorical appeal (ethos, logos, or pathos)
1 paragraph on not-strongest appeal, and then
1 paragraph on the final rhetorical appeal
Conclusion
‘Sexy’ title
Double-spaced
Proper MLA parenthetical in-text citations
MLA header in the top left corner of the first page (properly double-spaced). See the example, “MLA Example”, in the Resources folder.
MLA header in the top right corner of all pages. See the example, “MLA Example”, in the Resources folder.
Work (not Works since only 1 work will be listed) Cited page with a proper MLA 9 formatted citation. Your only source should be your TEDTalk video for this paper.
Due Date: Friday, June 21 @ noon.
Worth 15% of the 50% Major Project Assignments
Using the TEDTalk of your choice, your will complete a rhetorical analysis paper. Rhetorical Analysis (RA) should be a repeat for most of you, as the RA is a core assignment during 1101 at VSU. The Rhetorical Analysis allows you to see how the author, the speaker in this case, constructs their argument and why their argument is effective. Once you identify and analyze the argument being made in the TEDTalk, you will then be ready to move on and construct your own researched argument.
With this being an online class, I encourage you all to manage your time. There are challenges that come with an online classroom-two of the biggest being time management and self-discipline. If you are new to an online environment or have never taken a summer class, please be mindful upfront of the necessity of managing your work and time. If you follow the suggested calendar, stay up with your coursework, and commit to this class, you should be fine. This paper has a quick deadline so that we can move on to our focused paper, the researched argument.
Let’s Get Thinking:
We agree or disagree with argument based on three very simple constructs:
We find the person making the argument credible, or trustworthy and knowledgeable on the subject
We are provided information that appears logical and supportive of the argument, or
We have an emotional connection—good, bad, or in between—that connects us to the topic
Each argument we accept and each that we disregard, we do so based on these primary thoughts. We analyze the arguments in this manner without even thinking. A few other things can go into the matter, but in general that is all it takes to sway a person.
Your Essay:
For this essay you will analyze how the rhetorical devices—ethos, logos, and pathos—are presented in the TEDTalk of your choice.
You will need to analyze how the author (the speaker in this case) demonstrates each of the following rhetorical devices, and provide one direct quote with parenthetical citations per paragraph:
Ethos: how the author creates a sense of credibility, or how they demonstrate that they are a trustworthy source for the information they have provided
Logos: how the author uses data to create a sense of reason from their audience while reinforcing their claims
Pathos: how the author elicits a strong emotional connection between you and the subject matter
For each rhetorical device— ethos, logos, and pathos —you will need to write a paragraph(s) analyzing how the author uses that device to support their argument. Each paragraph will need to include one direct quote or paraphrase from the video to support the claims you are making.
Note: Each paragraph should not include more than one direct quote or paraphrase. You want most of your essay to be how you analyze the argument the author is making through rhetorical devices.
Once you have determined how the author uses each rhetorical device to create their argument, you will need to determine which device is the primary rhetorical device. In other words, which rhetorical device do you feel dominates the argument.
Is it a sense of trustworthiness or credibility?
Then your primary rhetorical device is ethos.
Is it full of facts and data that leave little room for a counterargument?
Then your primary rhetorical device is logos.
Is it an emotional pull that either tugs at your heartstrings or leaves you feeling disgusted or maybe it enrages you to think about?
Then your primary rhetorical device is pathos.
The device you decide is the primary rhetorical device you will need to write two paragraphs for. So, you will have four body paragraphs and four direct quotes or paraphrases for this essay.
Your essay will also need an introduction paragraph, with a thesis statement that you should put in bold, a summary paragraph (introduction paragraph #2), and a conclusion paragraph. Neither your introduction nor your conclusion should include any direct quotes but should be full-sized paragraphs.
Your introduction needs to provide an overview of the topic your essay is on.
Your thesis statement should argue which rhetorical device is the primary device of the essay.
Your summary paragraph needs to provide a summary of the topic of the TEDTalk. Keep in mind, I said summary NOT analysis at this point. You need to inform your audience of your TEDTalk.
Your conclusion needs to explain why the argument presented in the essay you’re analyzing is important to consider.
Ideal Essays:
An ideal essay will be well-polished had has taken my feedback from the draft board into consideration while revising and polishing for final submission.
While proper grammar and sentence structure are not the primary goal in ENGL 1102—constructing a successful argument is the primary focus—basic English grammar is necessary. You will want to focus on identifying common grammatical errors and the importance of editing while working on your essay.
I highly recommend using ONLY the FREE VERSION of Grammarly to check your final essay before submitting it. You can download it for free in your VSU (Valdosta State University) online Microsoft Suite.
Remember, as a VSU student, you have access to online tutoring and use of the Academic Support Center in Odum Library. To access online tutoring: go to our BlazeView course shell and click the “Free Tutoring” tab across the top.
All quotes or paraphrases will need proper in-text citations that follow MLA 9 guidelines. Since you are citing in your essay, you will need a Work (not works) Cited page (since we only have a singular work). For the Rhetorical Analysis paper, the only source I want you to use is your TEDTalk video. Here is a link to help with proper format for a TEDTalk citation: TEDTalk Citation
After reading your essay, it should be clear how the author of the TEDTalk uses ethos, logos, and pathos to form their argument and which rhetorical device you find to be the most prominent.
