WritingProject1

=Writing Project 1= =Rhetorical Analysis of a Documentary Film=

Group Presentation
== In groups of 3 to 4, you will give a 10-12 minute presentation in which you examine a key rhetorical strategy, or several related ones, used by the filmmaker to persuade viewers to his or her point of view. Your purpose is to offer the class a perspective on how the film works rhetorically. Your presentation should include the following: ==
 * A brief summary that sets the context for the class. (Assume we haven't seen the movie.) What is the film about? What is its purpose? What is the film's point of view? Does the film make an argument? If it tells a story, does this story illustrate a point or perspective?
 * A thesis or conclusion you've drawn from your analysis. Your thesis should be a claim about the film's rhetorical strategies, the tools used by the film to be convincing and persuasive. You may focus on one rhetorical strategy, such as how the film establishes credibility, or how the film tells stories evoke emotion. Or you may discuss multiple strategies that the film uses to engage viewers. Also,you do not need to evaluate the film or say whether you agree or disagree with the film's content.
 * Evidence and examples from the film that illustrate your thesis. You can focus entirely on one sequence from the film or you can use several examples from throughout the film. This should be the longest part of your presentation.
 * Some kind of visual accompaniment to your presentation, such as PowerPoint or a clip from the movie.
 * A take-away for the class. A one-page handout summarizing or otherwise relating to your film.

Other points remember:
 * Everyone in the group must participate.
 * Everyone will receive the same grade.
 * The grade will be based on three things: content, organization and clarity, and use of visuals and the handout.
 * PowerPoint: use it only to enhance your presentation. Do not use it as a place to put your notes. Do not read from your slides.

Questions to consider for analysis:
 * How does the film make you care about the subject or establish that the subject is important?
 * How does the film get you to identify with the filmmaker or with people in the film?
 * How does the film get you to identify with certain interests, values, beliefs, or emotions?
 * Ethos: How does the film establish its credibility? Does the film call on experts? Does the film seem evenhanded? Does it have a strong obvious bias?
 * Pathos: How does the film make the subject compelling? How does the film appeal to emotion?
 * Logos: Does the film make an explicit argument? How does it make these arguments convincing? What evidence does it provide?

Individual Essay
The essay is a written account of your presentation, with an additional step. In the essay, in addition to analyzing the film's rhetoric, you will evaluate it. You should make a claim about what is most effective and persuasive in the film, and also discuss whether you find anything in the film to be ineffective. The essay should be about 3-4 pages typed.