Practice Rhetorical Analysis
In "Backpacks vs. Briefcases," Caroll provides a definition what is hopefully a review of rhetoric and rhetorical analysis. She also provides a number of questions that can help get you started in rhetorical analysis; I have included another sheet of possible questions for such analyses here as well for reference.
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For this activity, rather than analyzing a specific show or advertisement as Caroll does, you will instead write a brief analysis of a particular digital culture of your choosing. This culture can be one you mentioned in your first reflection and/or introduction, or something else entirely.
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Regardless of the culture you choose (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Reddit, etc are all great starting points!), please answer the following in about 250-300 words, relying on concrete evidence from your chosen digital culture:
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How do individuals interact within this cultural interface? That is, is it mostly text, images, gifs, emojis, etc, or something else?
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Do individuals rely more on logical, ethical, or pathetic (emotional) appeals in this space?
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What marks effective communication within this cultural interface? How do you know? (Hint: You'll need SPECIFIC POINTS OF EVIDENCE to answer this part!)
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What marks ineffective communication within this cultural interface? How do you know? (Same as above: defend your reasoning with EVIDENCE).
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Once you've got your practice analysis put together, please submit it to me via Slack Direct Messaging. You are welcome to type directly in the messenger, link to a Google Doc, or send either a Word Document or .pdf file.
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