This paper should be 10-12 pages (not including a reference page) and should follow the guidelines for paper assignments as it is presented on this syllabus. It should be well written, organized, and free of typographical or grammatical errors. This paper should be an evolution from your prospectus. Remember that you will conduct a rhetorical criticism of a text of your choosing. Your paper should engage in criticism of your artifact using the rhetorical concepts and approaches we have covered this semester. Your paper will use a method that is uniquely your own depending on how you situate yourself as a critic.
This must be a thesis-driven paper. Do not just analyze the artifact, and definitely do not just describe the situation; instead, you should make an argument about what the text does/is attempting to do and demonstrate that point in the body of your paper. Remember to show the reader how you are proving your arguments to be true. Don’t just tell us what you believe to be true, prove it. Before you submit your paper, make sure they have these four basic elements:
Introduction
Attention Getter
Background Info
Thesis
Preview of Paper
Artifact
Explain the artifact to your audience and make sure we are all on the same page.
Present a justification for this artifact to be studied. Why is it important?
You can provide data, statistics on the viewership of a movie/show for instance. You can explain the impact of this speech/policy.
Anything that proves its relevance add here.
Questions you should be asking yourself here are: what is the rhetorical artifact? Describe it and its rhetorical significance. Why did you choose this artifact? Who produced it? What situation is it addressing? Is there a clear intent to persuade? Does its audience read it rhetorically? If intentional, who is the intended audience? What is the historical significance of this type of appeal – is this type of appeal historically used or is it a recent innovation? Has it been used in the past, but re-envisioned in a contemporary context?
Theoretical Approach / Rhetorical Concepts
How are you approaching the rhetorical criticism of this artifact?
This portion of the paper should indicate what you see as the purpose of your criticism, and which concepts/theories from class you are using to accomplish that purpose. Which theory/theories from class are you using, which concepts are you applying, and why?
For instance, if you are approaching this criticism from a racial rhetorical criticism lens. You should be citing not just Lisa Flores’ work (the one we covered in class) but also what lead to her building that argument and/or what others have done using that approach. You, again, are explaining the theoretical approach to your reader so that we are all on the same page.
Rhetorical Analysis
You should break down this analysis into sub-sections/themes/areas of analysis.
This is where you explain how rhetoric is functioning in your text. How do you make sense of the artifact using the theoretical approach you identified earlier?
I like to think of this section as “mini-arguments” that feed into the larger argument (thesis) of this paper. So for instance, if my thesis is X, then in the analysis I am showing how X, Y, Z can be seen in the artifact through the theoretical approach and therefore prove X is true.
Conclusion
What can we take away from your criticism?
You can identify what impacts this criticism has for the artifact itself, the approach you are using, and even our understanding of rhetoric in general.
Not all of these can occur you just have to decide what are your take aways.
Identify areas that need further exploration
References / Works Cited
Topic: Lemonade Album by Beyonce based on the music video using
close textual analysis for Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, mainly focusing on its
visual elements, plan to expand upon the lyrics, imagery, symbolism, and themes
portrayed in the music videos. This involves examining each frame, scene, and
visual cue in detail, considering their significance within the broader
narrative Beyoncé constructs. Paying attention to the use of color, lighting,
costume, setting, and choreography, as they all contribute to the visual
storytelling.
Analyzing
how these elements enhance the message of each song and contribute to the
themes explored in the album, such as empowerment, identity, love, betrayal,
and resilience. Additionally, considering how the visual elements interact with
the music itself, creating a multisensory experience for the audience. Through
this examination, I will uncover deeper layers of meaning and artistic
intention in Beyoncé’s Lemonade album.
Lemonade
has 11 chapters, and it is heavily influenced by the mantra “when life gives
you lemons, you make lemonade”. Also showcasing the emotional stages of
what it feels like to be a victim of infidelity, such as “Intuition,” “Denial,” “Anger,” “Apathy,”
“Emptiness,” “Accountability,” “Reformation,” “Forgiveness,” “Resurrection,”
“Hope,” and “Redemption.
