With this assignment, I want you (our audience) to get some practice with the rhetorical terms that we list above (our purpose). We will use these rhetorical terms throughout the semester; they form the basis of the course. Throughout the course, you will develop your understanding of how rhetoric and writing function in social contexts. You’ll be able to use what you learn about rhetoric in this course and apply it in any other course that requires writing. You will also familiarize yourself with CCNY’s academic databases. You already know how to search for material on the open web; a better understanding of how to make use of academic databases will expand the range of materials to which you have access. (Notice the tone and language here: professional, but not too academic. Accessible, but not casual.)DescriptionThe Comparative Rhetorical Analysis isn’t an essay, per se. For this assignment, you will create a series of paragraphs in which you will describe the rhetorical elements–author, audience, tone, purpose, genre, medium, stance, and language of TWO sources: one that you have found in CCNY’s academic databases and one on the open web. The sources can be on the topic of your choice.Some recommended CCNY databases include: Academic One File, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, JSTOR, and the National Newspaper Index, but the choice is up to you.For both sources, you will describe its author, audience, tone, purpose, genre, medium, and stance. In your analysis, you’ll not only identify, for example, the writer’s purpose–to inform, to persuade, to argue, or something else–but also what aspect of the text tells you what you believe the purpose is. If, for example, you think the article’s purpose is to argue, you will quote phrases that point out where the author makes specific claims about their subject. You’ll also need to look at both the articles you choose and the publication in which they appear. Looking at the publication’s web site will give you a lot of information about your article’s purpose and audience.FormatIn this assignment, you’re describing the rhetorical aspects of two sources, one academic, one casual. Instead of making a central argument, as most essays often do, you’re exploring your sources from a rhetorical perspective. Please use the format below:Introduction:In approximately one paragraph per source, summarize the article you chose, and any insightful elements you found revelatory to your topicRhetorical Analysis:Provide a rhetorical analysis, of approximately 3-5 sentences for each term. You will have a paragraph per source for each term: author, audience, tone, purpose, genre, medium, stance and language.Analysis should also include quotes, written in MLA format.Each paragraph of your Rhetorical Analysis should contain:
- A description of how your sources use these rhetorical terms.
- Quotes that back up the “rhetorical claims.”
- A brief statement that connects your claim to your evidence.
Conclusion:In approximately one paragraph total, please write some of the conclusions you have drawn based on these rhetorical aspects. For example, why might one article use technical language? Does that have to do with their audience? Do both articles have the same audience? Does that have to do with the topic/subject? The conclusion is derived from your observations on the similarities and differences of the rhetorical aspects. Length: 1,000 words (3-4 pages)
Each paragraph describing the tone, audience, or author should be as follows.
The tone of Sedaris’ essay, “Me Talk Pretty One Day” is sarcastic. This can be seen when he writes, “‘I hate you,’ he said to me one afternoon. His English was impeccable. I really, really hate you. Call me sensitive, but I couldn’t help but take it personally” (Sedaris 3). Sedaris’ quip that he couldn’t help but take a demeaning insult personally is an example of his wry, sarcastic humor throughout the essay.
