Rhetoric and the News

Though we began this topic some time ago with the Presidential election, how does television news contain a rhetorical strategy? Is there a specific bias when it comes to reporting the news? Why has the newspaper suffered serious decline and television news is on the upswing?

Answer these questions and any others you may have in a three-paragraph blog response. Also, make sure to read "The News" by Neil Postman on page 426 in the Freshman textbook. (You may also be able to find it online via search engine). Be specific and use the Internet as a resource. Cite where necessary.

Shelby Steele's "On Being Black and Middle Class"

How does Steele combine issues of race and class rhetorically? What sort of tropes or devices does she use to make this combination? How can issues of race and class be described in the same way?

Answer ALL these questions in your response!!

Obama's Speech on Race (3-18-08)

Read Barack Obama's Speech on Race (you can find at my website) and answer ONE of the following questions:

1) What is the rhetorical effect of Obama quoting Faulkner's statement, "The past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past"?

2) What is Obama trying to equate when he says "The church contains in full kindness and cruelty" and "the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday"?

3) How does Obama think the issue of race will be overcome? What ideas does he use to support his claim?

Pick ONE of these questions and answer with a three-paragraph response.

Race and the Election

Given Barack Obama's election to the Presidency, race remains an important issue in our country. Do you believe that this election changed the issue of race? Why or why not? Write at least three paragraphs explaining your answer and you may use sources if you feel necessary. Please cite them if you do.

Visual Rhetoric in Politics

Find a television advertisement for or against a political candidate in the upcoming election (use the internet to find those videos). Analyze the video for AT LEAST TWO (2) instances of visual rhetoric. (Use Barack Obama's video last night if you would like. Search Obama's website to view a portion of the video.) Questions to consider: 1) What does the setting of the advertisement tell us? 2) What sort of language is used to portray the lead candidate or the opposing candidate? 3) What kind of tropes are employed (if applicable)?

Use those questions to help you write a two-paragraph blog entry.

Tropes in Political Rhetoric

In the person you've chosen for your Unit Paper, select ONE of the tropes that person uses in one of his/her speeches. Explain the importance of the use of that trope and how effective that trope is in reaching the audience.

The Rhetoric of War

How have past presidents or political figures called for war? What kind of language have they used to promote or argue for war? How about those who have argued or spoken for peace? Compare contrast the language and use of tropes between peace rhetoric & war rhetoric. Use the current conflict or one from the past it you are more comfortable with history!