Assignment Author
Visual Rhetoric WorkgroupAttribution
Visual Rhetoric WorkgroupPedagogical Goals of the Assignment
The goals of this assignment are 1) to introduce them to the difficult issue of causality and images, 2) to get them to think in abstract terms first, i.e., to argue an issue in general terms, before they apply those terms to more specific situations and test their validity, and 3) to help them decide for themselves how much evidence is “enough” for a given type of paper and what level of abstraction they need to employ in a given argumentative situation.
Assignment Description
This unit-long assignment asks the students to write a short paper (300–500 words), in which they make an argument about the effects of persistent exposure to certain imagery in general (an exercise known in classical Greek rhetoric as thesis), then revise and incorporate that paper into a longer essay (4-5 pages), in which they propose a more specific, evidence-backed policy or defend a proposed course of action pertaining to visual entertainment. The long essay requires research into the relevant visual entertainment industry.
Short Paper
Write a short (300-500 words) paper on one of the topics below. Your paper should contain a general argument making a causal argument pertaining to persistent exposure to certain imagery. It should contain at least three reasons to defend it.
Requirements:
* This assignment should be submitted as a blog on the class webpage. I ask that you write your essay as a letter or speech addressed to the rest of the class. Make an argument and try to convince your classmates that your explanation is the best.
* In addition, you will need to engage in a conversation with at least one of your classmates’ posts – either to critique it or to express support (or both). Your response should be at least 100 words long and posted no later than 48 hours from the due date of the paper.
* Use at least one of the following inventional topics (you may use more than one): necessary/unnecessary, possible/impossible, lawful/unlawful, harmful/beneficial, just/unjust, advantageous/disadvantageous.
Long Essay
Building on the views and arguments you presented in your short paper, write a long (4–5 pages) essay, in which you make an argument either proposing a certain course of action, defending an already existing proposal or rejecting a policy/law/regulation pertaining to political advertisement, visual entertainment, or documentary film.
Requirements:
* A clear thesis statement, proposing a specific course of action, defending an existing proposal, or rejecting a policy/law/regulation.
* A detailed exposition of the problem/issue at hand.
* At least three reasons to support your thesis statement, expounded in detail and accompanied by sufficient evidence.
* A discussion of the consequences of your proposal.
* An appropriate medium/format for your paper: in other words, you will need to address your proposal to an existing legislative body, which can implement it in practice. Be sure to use the appropriate form of address (letter, speech, etc.)
* At least two sources; proper format (MLA, CMS, etc.)—please cite your sources even though your paper will look like a letter, speech, or whatever other form of address you choose.
Tips:
* Use one or more of the following inventional prompts: clear/obscure, constitutional/unconstitutional, just/unjust, necessary/unnecessary, possible/impossible, advantageous/disadvantageous
* A proposal argument is focused on the future and it aims to get the audience to act. In other words, you will need to argue that we take a certain action, abandon a course of action, or stay the same course with respect to laws/regulations/policies pertaining to one of the three activities listed above. A successful proposal is very specific and audience-focused: think of something that can be implemented in practice and imagine yourself in the shoes of the person who will be implementing it. Is the proposed action necessary? Is it clear? Is it feasible? Would it alleviate/solve the problem? What would be the benefits of your proposal? Would the benefits outweigh the costs of implementation? What would happen if we do nothing? These are simply some questions to help you brainstorm your topic.
* It would be rhetorically more effective to have your problem exposition at the beginning of your proposal—in this way you will get across the urgency of the situation and will keep your audience focused.
* Your persona as a speaker/writer is very important to your audience—it can produce persuasion or dissuasion. In other words, you need to project trustworthiness, authority, and familiarity with the issue.
Possible Topics:
* Video Games
* Documentary Film
* Visual Political Advertisement