Rhetorical Analysis Calvin and Hobbes Calvin and Hobbes

Rhetorical Analysis Calvin and Hobbes

Calvin and Hobbes Comic Strip

Rhetorical Analysis � Not all arguments are explicitly stated. � When looking at this comic strip, pay attention to not only what Calvin literally says but what Hobbes implies.

Rhetorical Analysis � This strip has two arguments: the character’s argument (Calvin’s) and the artist’s argument (Hobbes’).

Rhetorical Analysis � Take a minute to write down what you think the arguments are.

Important Things to Know When Analyzing Comic Strips � The artist is using humor to make a point (in this case, through exaggeration).

Important Things to Know When Analyzing Comic Strips � The argument literally stated by the characters are rarely the artist’s actual argument.

Important Things to Know When Analyzing Comic Strips � The artist often leaves visual clues hinting at his or her true argument: ◦ ◦ Background details Foreground details Character expressions Etc.

Rhetorical Analysis � When breaking down any argument, it helps to move from big picture things to small picture things.

Rhetorical Analysis � Big Picture Analysis ◦ What the characters are saying (claim) ◦ What the characters aren’t saying (claim) ◦ Why the characters are saying what they are (reasons/foundations)

Rhetorical Analysis � Small Picture Analysis ◦ What foreground details did the artist include? ◦ What background details did the artist include? ◦ What kinds of facial expressions did the artist use on his or her characters? ◦ How did the characters say what they did?

Rhetorical Analysis � Take a minute to look at your ideas about the arguments. ◦ Have they changed any? ◦ Can you add anything to them? ◦ Remove/change anything?

Rhetorical Analysis � Let’s look at the big picture analysis of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip…

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Claim � What is Calvin claiming?

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Claim � We should always have high self-esteem, so we should lower our expectations so we can always meet them.

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Reasons � What are some of the reasons behind this claim?

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Reasons � Some potential reasons: ◦ Expecting too much of ourselves damages our selfesteem. ◦ Expecting mediocrity means that any time we go above that standard, we receive higher self-esteem. ◦ Why put in more effort than strictly necessary?

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Foundations � Some potential foundations: ◦ Expecting too much of ourselves damages our selfesteem �…because, if we fail to achieve our high goals, we don’t feel good about ourselves.

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Foundations � Some potential foundations: ◦ Expecting mediocrity means that any time we meet or exceed that standard, we receive higher selfesteem. �…because mediocrity means everyone succeeds.

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Foundations � Some potential foundations: ◦ Why put in more effort than strictly necessary �…because if something is good enough, there’s no reason to continue.

Rhetorical Analysis: Calvin’s Claim � Keep in mind that this is the literal argument in this comic strip. � Now, let’s dig a little deeper and see what the artist’s real claim is.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Main Claim � Spend a minute thinking about what the artist is really trying to say in this comic strip.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Main Claim � Encouraging mediocrity for the sake of an inflated self-esteem is not good for the country.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Main Claim � What indicates that this is the artist’s main claim? � Think on this for a minute and discuss it with your neighbor.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Main Claim � Signs of the Artist’s True Argument: ◦ Hobbes’ counterstatements ◦ The incomplete snowman ◦ The exaggerated emphasis on Calvin’s argument

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Reasons � What are Hobbes’/the artist’s reasons for his claim?

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Reasons � Potential Reasons: ◦ Mediocrity does not produce the kind of innovation a country needs to remain competitive. ◦ Mediocrity is bad for business.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Foundations � Potential Foundations: ◦ Mediocrity does not produce the kind of innovation a country needs to remain competitive. �…because innovation, particularly technological innovation, is vital to many of our industries. �…because non-innovative countries fall behind innovative ones. �…etc.

Rhetorical Analysis: Hobbes’/Artist’s Foundations � Potential Foundations: ◦ Mediocrity is bad for business. �…because businesses which can’t keep us with customer demand go out of business. �…because mediocre employees lead to mediocre products and services. �…etc.

Rhetorical Analysis: Smaller Picture Items � Things to observe: ◦ The unfinished snowman ◦ Calvin’s apparent pride in his unfinished snowman ◦ Hobbes’ less than enthusiastic expression in the last box

Rhetorical Analysis: Smaller Picture Items � Things to observe: ◦ The way that Calvin connects homework to selfesteem ◦ Hobbes’ counterarguments �His negative interpretation of Calvin’s statements �Hobbes saying, “Remind me to invest overseas. ”

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � There are many potential reasons and foundations behind a claim, so it can be hard to tell at times why an author/artist claimed what he or she did.

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � That said, however, we can still get a pretty good idea with thorough enough analysis.

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � Arguments are not always straightforward.

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � Also, arguments are often supported by unstated reasoning.

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � When analyzing an argument, like analyzing sources, start with big picture items (what was being said) and move to smaller picture items (how things were being said).

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � Thoroughly analyzing an argument takes time and requires a lot of attention to detail.

Rhetorical Analysis: A Few Final Notes � Analyzing arguments, like analyzing sources, is impacted by your own personality, background, biases, etc. � That said, however, it is possible to get the gist of a claim and its reasons and foundations.