Christine Tracy Journalism 213: Print Media

Writing in a Networked World
ENGL 527-000

Instructor: Christine Tracy
Contact: ctracy1@ninthmuse.org

527 Assignments

Inclassexercise2.16.doc
Trendsmemo.doc
527ramatrix.doc
reenginneringproj.doc
a&aevalmatrix.doc

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment
Class Excercises

First formal assignment: rhetorical analysis of a text that exists in multiple forms. Due: Thursday, February 23 in class.

This assignment requires you to first find a text that is represented in multiple forms. I am using this term loosely to apply to more formal examples, such as Leonardo's notebook and the DVD on Advance as well as more informal applications, such as advertising on plastic bags and clothing. I suggest you careful select a text that you find engaging and significant enough to generate a thoughtful analysis. If you need help, please come to my office. I have some samples I can share with you.

I would like to review your choice to also help guide and facilitate your work.

After you've made your selection, decide how you want to look at the two (or perhaps three or more) different examples. Hart's reading on Rhetorical Analysis should help you refine your methodology (how you'll conduct your analysis.) One suggestion, the method I used when I did a similar analysis, was to apply Manovich's observation about the way installation artist Kabakov designed his spaces to a series of texts that existed in multiple forms to *test* whether or not this approach worked. (I'm looking for that paper now to share with you. I hope I will find it.)

So you could simply take that criteria--creating a well-define path, choosing particular narratives and where to position text, and alternating between details and the whole--and apply it to your examples.

You will submit your findings in a formal paper of approximately five pages (excluding bibliography.) If possible, please photocopy sample of the texts you're analyzing. I would like a brief outline and paper proposal from you by next week ((Feb. 2). The paper should contain a brief review of the literature you're using (it does not have to be limited to what we're reading), a clear articulation of the question you're asking in your analysis, a description of your method of analysis (ie: I will apply Manovich's criteria to...for example) and a summary of your findings and observations.

I am available to review working drafts with you and will distribute a grading matrix for the assignment next week. (The assignment is worth 30 points toward your total grade.)

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

Due: Thursday, Feb. 23 in class. Please submit a hard copy of your paper (approximately five pages without bibliography or examples) in class that evening.

This assignment is worth 30 points (30/100) toward your final grade.
This assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  1. Meet assignment criteria to study a text that exists in multiple forms and analyze it according to Manovich's criteria or other methodology. (2 points)
  2. Follows assignment outline through inclusion of:
    1. a brief literature review,
    2. a clear articulation of the question under analysis,
    3. a description of the method of analysis (or methodology), and
    4. a summary of findings and observations. (8 points total, 2 each)
  3. Explicit articulation of the method of analysis and effective application of that method. Use of specific examples form from the text(s) under analysis to substantiate the argument. (5 points)
  4. Clear and well reasoned articulation of the findings and conclusion.
  5. Paper is clean, grammatically correct and free of typographical errors. (5 points)
  6. Paper includes a bibliography using proper MLA or APA style conventions. (2points)
  7. Demonstration of an understanding of the literature required for the course through application of the theorist(s) to the analysis and text under study. (5 points)
  8. The writer's voice is audible and the writing is clear, cohesive and coherent. (3 points)

Class Excercises

In class Rhetorical Analysis
Feb. 2, 2006
Dr. Tracy

What can rhetoricians learn from studying the Super Bowl television ads?

According to today's New York Times, 86.1 million people will watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, including the advertising. The companies who purchase the high price tag ads have on average 30 seconds to persuade, entertain, and engage viewers. What makes these ads persuasive and entertaining? As technical and professional communicators, what techniques can we borrow from advertisting professional that will help us with our work?

First, look at some of the ads from last year's Super Bowl. There are on the Web at: http://www.ifilm.com/superbowl

Second, think about what Hart says about the difference between form and structure: the audience's role and the writer's roles are different in creating meaning.

Using the ads and our recent reading of Hart (and other theorists), what conclusion can you draw that will be helpful in your own writing and technical communication?

In-class Discussion Exercise
ENGL 527
2.9.06

Van Dijk talks about the new communicative forms available to network societies (bottom of page 36). These include: chat, instant messaging, virtual teams and virtual communities. He diagrams this in Figure 2.4 and outlines a typology of the network society in 2.2.

First, write a one-sentence summary of the most salient point of each of our previous readings of Kostelnick, Hart, and Manovich.

Next, use you summaries to draft a response to this question: How can van Dijk's description of a network society help technical communicators more effectively reach their audience through better message design?