Research Paper on "Rhetorical Theory Applied to a Rhetorical Artifact"

Quoted Instructions for "Rhetorical Theory Applied to a Rhetorical Artifact" Assignment:

Paper 2 Assignment

Due Date: Friday, April 30, 2010

The goal of this paper is to demonstrate your ability to understand and apply the rhetorical theory we discuss in class. To do this you will provide a discussion of an approach to rhetoric and apply it to a modern day rhetorical artifact. The theorists and theories you choose can come from one of the following:

KENNETH BURKE SUSANNE LANGER

STEPHEN TOULMIN MICHEL FOUCAULT

CHAIM PERELMAN FEMINISTS

RICHARD WEAVER METAPHOR THEORY

Here is how your paper should be organized:

Introduction:

*****¢ Here you should argue for the importance of the rhetorical artifact you choose. This can be done by providing evidence that the artifact was popular, had a big impact, is understudied, etc. In other words you need to provide some sort of justification for why you chose this piece of rhetoric.

*****¢ Finally you will want to provide a clear thesis that demonstrates the overall argument your essay adopts. This should go beyond stating a simple purpose.

*****¢ You will also provide a framework for the paper �*****" previewing the essay*****s main ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Body:

*****¢ There should be two major elements within the body of your paper:

o The first part of the paper is an exploration of one of the theorists and their concepts. You will want to consider what we cover in class, but should also trace what other scholars have said about the concept and the author. You may want to consult the end notes and bibliography in your text book. Some possible concepts for explanation include Burke*****s concept of identification or terministic screens, Langer*****s concept of presentational and discursive form, Foucault*****s rules that govern discursive formations or the panopticon, Toulmin*****s concept of the models of argument, Perelman*****s concept of presence, some concept of metaphor, a whole range of feminist rhetorical theory.

o The second part of the paper is an application of the key idea from your theorist to a modern rhetorical artifact. You should cite specific examples from the rhetoric to demonstrate your application. So if you are using a speech as your rhetoric you would want to provide quotations from the speech to clearly illustrate the theoretical concepts. Your sample rhetoric can come from almost any source. Some ideas include print and broadcast advertisements, speeches, editorials or films. The application section of your paper should demonstrate your ability to use the chosen concepts to better understand your selection of rhetoric, thus you need to make an argument beyond offering some simple examples of the theory you use.

Conclusion:

*****¢ The last part of your essay should summarize your points and draw conclusions about the analysis. For example, you may want to consider answering some of the following questions: What do we learn about rhetoric, about humans, more generally from applying these theories to this rhetoric? Why is it important to perform an*****s like these? What does it tell us about this specific rhetorical theory?

Need more direction for how the paper should be divided? Roughly ¼ of the paper should be on the person and your explanation of his or her concepts; ½ should apply these concepts to your rhetorical artifact and the last ¼ should draw conclusions/implications about that application.

Paper format:

*****¢ We do not want your first draft. Your final paper should:

-have a bibliography of works you reference/use in an acceptable scholarly format

-include a copy of your artifact if possible

-be 4-6 pages: typed, double spaced, one inch margins, in 12 pt font

-be free of spelling/grammar errors

Paper Evaluation:

-You should cite from the original works of the theorists (this means quote what they say about the concept you choose)

- You can also use secondary sources to support your claims about those concepts

- You should introduce quotations and explain them. Do not assume we know what you mean. Unpack your arguments.

-You should use specific examples from your artifact to illustrate its use of the theorists***** concepts

-You should evaluate the effectiveness of the rhetoric based on the criteria established by your author.

Possible Primary Sources

*** Keep in mind these authors have written more texts than the ones listed below. The library, its online catalogue, and the electronic databases are full of other resources that would be useful to you. ***

KENNETH BURKE: has written a wide range of materials, most of which are in the library

Burke, Kenneth, *****Definition of Man,***** (You should have this)

----- (1969) Language as Symbolic Action. *****Terministic Screens*****

----- *****Dramatism,***** in The Rhetoric of Western Thought.

----- (1969). Rhetoric of Religion. *****The First Three Chapters of Genesis*****

----- Nichols, MH, *****Kenneth Burke and the *****˜New Rhetoric,***** in The Rhetoric of Western Thought

SUSANNE LANGER

Langer, S. (1951) Philosophy In A New Key. *****Discursive Forms and Presentational Forms***** (You should have this)

Langer, S. (1953) Feeling and Form. New York: Scribners.

Langer, Susanne K. *****"The Origins of Speech and Its Communication Function.*****" The Quarterly Journal of Speech 46 (April 1960): 121-134.

Lyon, Arabella, (1995). *****Susanne K Langer: Mother and Midwife at the Rebirth of Rhetoric,***** Reclaiming Rhetoric. p. 266-284.

CHAIM PERELMAN

Dearin, Ray,***** The Philosophical Basis of Chaim Perelman*****s Theory of Rhetoric,***** Quarterly Journal of Speech (October 1969), 213-224.

----- *****The Rhetorical Legacy of Chaim Perelman: An Editorial Note,***** Argumentation and

Advocacy (Fall 1985), 63-64.

Perelman, Chaim *****The New Rhetoric: A Theory of Practical Reasoning, in The Rhetoric of Western Thought.

----- *****Rhetoric and Philosophy,***** in Philosophy and Rhetoric (Winter 1968), 15-24.

STEPHEN TOULMIN

Brockriede, W and D. Ehninger. *****Toulmin on Argument: An Interpretation and Application,*****in The Rhetoric of Western Thought.

Toulmin, Stephen. *****Logic and the Criticism of Arguments,***** in The Rhetoric of Western Thought.

----- The Uses of Argument. New York: Cambridge, 1958

FOUCAULT:

Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason Translated by Richard Howard. New York: Pantheon, 1965.

Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge and the Discourse on Language. A. M. Sheridan Smith, translator. New York: Pantheon, 1972.

Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Translated by Alan Sheridan. New York: Pantheon, 1978.

Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1: An Introduction. Translated by Robert Hurley. New York: Pantheon, 1978.

FEMINISTS

Campbell, K.K. *****Hearing Women*****s Voices,***** in Communication Education, 40, January 1991.

Dow, B. and Boor Tonn, M. *****Feminine Style and Political Judgment in the Rhetoric of Ann Richards***** in Quarterly Journal of Speech, 79, 1993.

Elshtain, J. *****Feminist Discourse and Its Discontents: Language, Power, and Meaning***** in Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 7, 1982.

Foss, S and Griffin, C. *****Beyond Persuasion: Proposal for an Invitational Rhetoric***** in Communication Monographs, 62, March 1995. (you should have this)

hooks, bell (2000). Feminism is For Everybody: Passionate Politics. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.

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