Assignment:
Fantasy Theme analysis
In chapter, Foss explains that rhetorical visions are comprised of a collection of fantasy-themes organized into an over-arching narrative.
For this assignment, select and read ONE of the following sample essays:
Mendoza's "Coping with Loss: U2's 'One Tree Hill' (p. 132)
or
Wells's "Fantasy Theme Analysis of Nixon's 'Checkers' Speech" located here: https://www.cios.org/EJCPUBLIC/006/1/00611.HTML
Select one rhetorical vision discussed in the essay and then write a 1.5 to 2 page essay in which you:
[1] identify the main fantasy-themes associated with the vision (noting whether the themes are setting themes, character themes, or action themes) and
[2] tell the story of the rhetorical vision (for example you might begin with, "One bright day we will..." or "Once long ago..."). Briefly narrate the story in your own words.
Generic analysis
In chapter, Foss writes that rhetorical genres are identified by three different types of features: situational features, substantive features, and stylistic features.
For this assignment, select and read ONE of the following sample essays:
Joshua Carlisle Harzman's "Banksy at Disneyland: Generic Participation in Culture Jamming" (p. 229)
or
Varrallo's "Family Photos: A Genre Description" located here
Ideological analysis
In chapter, Foss notes that rhetorical discourse typically includes ideological content regardless of the presumed subject matter of the discourse.
For this assignment, select and read ONE of the following essays:
Dickinson, Ott, and Aoki's "Memory and Myth at the Buffalo Bill Museum" (p. 253) or
Ndiaye's "Cyber Ideology" (p. 273)
Readings:
Rhetorical Criticism
By Sonja K. Foss