ESSAY: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
You will be writing a rhetorical analysis on either: (choose one)
Frontline's documentary called "Football High"
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontlinc/football-high/
The Documentary called "Blackfish"
Available on netflix
This is about explaining how an argument is constructed and how it works. Unlike thematic analysis, the thesis statement for this in-class essay should explain the documentary's argument and should identify the types of rhetoric that it uses to construct its argument. Essentially, your essay will break down what the film is arguing and what appeals it is using, so please keep in mind that your analysis should he based on:
1. Use of appeals: logical appeal (logos) emotional appeal (pathos) ethical appeal (pathos)
2. Quotes from experts or eyewitnesses that show an example of appeal being used
Intro = topic, key details, thesis (what point is the film trying to argue) Body paragraphs= 3 body paragraphs
Explain the use of at least two of the three appeals (logic, emotion, and ethics) with a quote used in at least two paragraphs. If you see the use of all three appeals then you can do an appeal for each of your three body paragraphs. If you can only find two then your third paragraph can be a second example of one of the two appeals you wish to write about (for example: two paragraphs with logic examples and one emotional or two paragraph of emotional appeal and one logical).
Since this is an academic paper, you need to structure your paper accordingly: an introduction, at least three body paragraphs and a conclusion.
You should also focus on specific scenes and specific testimony (what the expert or eyewitness says) when analyzing appeal used and how it was used. Please quote the expert or eyewitness. If your essay is too vague and general with no specific explanation of the specific appeal or evidence in specific parts of the documentary, then your essay will suffer.
Remember: please do not summarize the documentary. There is one more important thing to keep in mind: because you are writing at a college level, du not refers to yourself in your paper (I think, I believe, etc.); you should not use the general "we" or "you" as well.
Because this is an in-class essay, you must write your essay in class. You will have the entire class period to complete your essay. You can bring notes and/or an outline of your in-class essay. However, you cannot bring a pre-written essay to class. This restriction also includes any notes or outlines pith full sentences or paragraphs.
The only exception to this restriction is that you can bring in a fully developed thesis statement for your in-class essay. If you do bring notes (no full sentences) or an outline, you need to attach them layout-essay before turning it in.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
• Since this is an in-class essay, you will be required to hand-write your essay in class. Since a blue book is not required, you just need to bring college-ruled paper to write on. You can either write in cursive or print, just as long as your writing is legible. Please note: you cannot use a laptop to type out your essay. It must be hand-written. You must also write in black or blue ink only.
• Please write your name, the date, English 68, and my name in the upper left-hand corner of your paper.
• Your essay should have an introduction and a least three body paragraphs. Focus on one type of rhetoric (please quote an expert or eyewitness and describe a key scene) per body paragraph.