Introduction to Audience, Purpose, and Rhetorical Choices Week 1

Supplemental Syllabus http://drazanenglish1301fall2015.weebly.com/

What is Rhetoric? Rhetoric: the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other persuasive techniques.

Aristotle: The Modes of Persuasion   

Analyzing Pictures and Videos Who is the target audience?​ What is the purpose of the ad?​ What strategies were used to sell the idea or item?​ What kind of figures are in the ad? ​ Is beauty being used? Explain.​ Is the ad expressive, informative or persuasive? Explain.​ What colors are used?​ What does the ad say about race, sex, age, ethnicity, and gender?​ How does text contribute to the ad or affect the ad?​ ​

Analyze this Ad Who is the target audience?​ What is the purpose of the ad?​ What strategies were used to sell the idea or item?​ What kind of figures are in the ad? ​ Is beauty being used? Explain.​ Is the ad expressive, informative or persuasive? Explain.​ What colors are used?​ What does the ad say about race, sex, age, ethnicity, and gender?​ How does text contribute to the ad or affect the ad?​

Analyze this video http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mcla ughlin+animal+adoption+commercial&FORM =VIRE5#view=detail&mid=C042FEF7C3B038E D7521C042FEF7C3B038ED7521

Brief Assignment One (BA1) Objective: To enable you to discuss your prior academic writing experiences and gain practice in some of the reading and writing skills covered in the course. Purpose:  BA1 has two parts. Part one is designed to give you an opportunity to tell your instructor about your prior writing experiences and discuss what you see as your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Part two gives you an opportunity to “get your feet wet” as you practice the type of critical reading and writing expected in college. Description: To complete Part one, answer each of the following questions in paragraph form, being as specific as possible as you discuss each topic: What is your experience with academic writing? What types of writing have you done in the last few years—you might discuss high school, college-level, or workplace writing, for example. What do you think your strengths are as a writer? Your weaknesses? (Note that your e- handbook provides descriptions of many writing strengths and problems—refer to it if you need to in discussing your particular abilities). What are your goals for this class? Part two consists of three different letters written by a college student.  Depending on the first letter of your last name, read one of the three .pdf files linked to this assignment.   If your last name begins with A – I, read “Letter One” If your last name begins with J – O, read “Letter Two” If your last name begins with P – Z, read “Letter Three” After reading the letter, write a paragraph in which you explain the purpose and audience for the letter. Be sure to identify some of the choices the writer made and explain how her choices allowed her to effectively communicate her message to her intended audience.    Your response to this assignment should be 400-600 words in length.

Before next class… Make sure you read the following: First-year Writing: Chapter One, pp. 3-16; Chapter 6 pp. 127-131; Chapter 16, selected readings St. Martin's Handbook: Chapter 1, “Expectations for College Writing”; Chapter 20a, "Reading Texts in the Humanities"  pp. 14-22; 300-301 Turn in BA 1 by Friday, August 28 by 11:59:59 p.m.