What is Rhetoric Definition of RHETORIC from MerriamWebster

What is “Rhetoric”? • Definition of RHETORIC (from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) • 1: the art of speaking or writing effectively: as • a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times • b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion • 2 a : skill in the effective use of speech • b : a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language

Who Uses Rhetoric? • The short answer is, everyone. • If you have ever convinced someone to come around to your point of view, written a facebook post, or written a clever tweet on twitter, you have used rhetoric effectively. • Rhetoric is simply the study of how to communicate effectively and persuasively. • When I talk about “rhetorical choices, ” I am talking about the choices that a writer makes in order to fulfill the purpose of the piece of writing and communicate effectively. • When I talk about “rhetorical situations” I am talking about the context or situation in which an argument is being made or rhetoric is being used.

Rhetorical Situation for Research Papers • What is the “rhetorical situation” of piece of writing that is classified as “research”? • What is its purpose? • What is its audience? • What is its tone/stance? • What is its medium?

The Purpose of Our Research Paper • Make a CLAIM about some area of pop culture and defend that claim using reputable sources and your own analysis of the issue. • How do I discover and defend a claim? • ASK a research question that invites further discussion. • READ a variety of sources about your question. • DECIDE, based on your research, where you stand on your question, and put that stance into a thesis/claim. • DEFEND your decision (your thesis) in your paper.

Audience for our Research Paper • Another important aspect of writing a persuasive piece is an awareness of audience. While it may be impossible to change your audience's mind completely, you want everyone who reads your piece to come away understanding and respecting your point of view. • For your Research Paper, assume a general audience of other college-level students and professors. Your audience is interested in your topic, and they know what pop culture is, but may not be familiar with your specific issue. You will need to provide appropriate context.

Tone and Medium of Research Paper • Tone: I will expect the paper to have a clear point of view on the question you choose, but I will expect the paper to be professional and respectful of those who might disagree. (If you wouldn’t say it to the face of someone you respect but disagree with, it doesn’t belong in your research paper. ) • Medium: Written paper, with the option of added images at the end. Also, if you choose to do the extra credit, you may use video and internet sources in your presentation.

Expectations for Style: • This paper should be written in an academic style. • Some extra points to remember: • No text-speak (“u” for “you, ” for example) • Precise, academically appropriate language • Limit use of “I” and “me” to well-chosen, relevant examples.

DIVERSITY IN THE MEDIA

What do we mean when we talk about “diversity” in the media? • It might mean a discussion of how a specific media product deals with the question of diversity. Are minority groups represented? If so, are they represented fairly, or as stereotypes? • Relates to Option 1 in your research paper • It might mean a discussion of how closely media products as a group reflect the diversity of the society that is producing them. • Relates to Option 2 in your research paper

Diversity: Cultures and Identities • Groups discussed when it comes to Diversity are often related to our Identities and our Cultures • Racial Identity • Ethnic Identity • Gender Identity • Cultural Identity • Nationality • Subcultures • Other Cultures based on: Age, Wealth, Religion, Sexuality, Politics, Disability

Terms that are Relevant to the Discussion • Diversity: the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization (Meriam Webster Online Dictionary) • When the word is used to talk about different types of people, there is also a connotation of acceptance of and respect for those differences. • Tokenism: the practice of doing something (such as hiring a person who belongs to a minority group) only to prevent criticism and give the appearance that people are being treated fairly (Meriam Webster Learner’s Dictionary) • Marginalize: to relegate someone or something (or a group) to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group (Meriam Webster Online Dictionary)

Other Vocabulary for Academic Discussion of Diversity • What do these terms mean in an Academic Context? • Historic Minority • Words like “minority” and “majority”, when used in an academic context are neither complimentary or derogatory. • People of Color (POC) • Marginalized • Politicized • Racism = Power + Prejudice • historic systems of oppression that are still in the process of being dismantled BUT are also still being reinforced in many ways. • White Privilege • Referring to the specific ways in which white people as a historic majority in the United States do not experience systematic racism. • White majority meaning a national majority, as well as within systems and institutions of power like politics and law enforcement. • Intersection of Race + Class • Classism and Economic Injustice often work hand in hand with Racism and Ethnocentrism

A few more words to know: • Portray: verb (Noun form is “portrayal”) • 1 to make a picture of : depict • 2 a : to describe in words • b : to play the role of • NOTE: This word often has the connotation of a fictional, not necessarily true representation. • Depict: verb (Noun form is “depiction”) • 1: to represent by or as if by a picture • NOTE: depict/depiction and portray/portrayal are often used interchangeably because they are synonyms. • Problematic: • a : posing a problem : difficult to solve or decide • b : not definite or settled : uncertain <their future remains problematic> • c : open to question or debate : questionable

Let’s use all of these words in a sentence: • Too often, Latinos are depicted as criminals, gardeners, or maids, and little else. This portrayal is problematic because there are many Latinos who do not fit these stereotypes. Producers and writers should make an effort to write characters and storylines that will put forward a more complex portrayal of the people in this community.

“NAACP Takes a Closer Look at Television Diversity—Diversity: No Laughing Matter” • Quotes: • “Out of nearly twenty sitcoms on network television this fall, it is unconscionable that there is not an African American lead among them” • “After examining all episodes of last season’s top 40 dramas and sitcoms, the guild found that 83 percent of the shows were directed by white men, 10 percent by white women, 5 percent by minority men, and 2 percent by minority women. ” • “Nearly one third of the viewing audience is diverse…one could argue that one third of all those working in Hollywood should be minorities. ” • Questions: 1. Consider your gut reaction to this text. How did reading this essay from the NAACP make you feel? Why do you think you had this reaction? 2. Was there anything about the way the author wrote or what they included in the text that triggered this reaction?

How do I write about this issue? • First of all, you’ve got to decide what you think about the big questions. • What do you think about how diverse the media being produced right now is? • Do you think that it’s enough to simply include actors/characters from minority groups in shows/, films, etc? If not, what else should be done? • Are there certain groups that you notice being portrayed in a particularly positive or negative way? • Start paying attention. • I know not all of us watch a lot of TV, but if you do, start noticing how diverse the characters you see are. • Alternately, think about how diverse the musicians you listen to are, etc. • Start doing some general reading. It’s very difficult to know what you think about this issue until you know what the big debates are.

Where do I do this general reading? • In this case, Google might be your friend. A lot of the most current writing about this issue hasn’t made it into the school databases yet. • Searches that have been productive for me: • Diversity and the media • TV and diversity (or television and diversity) • If you wish to research a certain group, play around with combinations of the group name, and the words “diversity, ” “media, ” and “television” (or whatever medium you are researching. • If you wish to research a certain piece of pop culture, type in the name of the film/show/genre and “diversity” and see what you come up with. • These same searches work with the school databases TRY BOTH Don’t rely ONLY on Google.

Homework: • Topics: Discussing Argument and Argument Structure • Due: • Read Pop Perspectives “The Main Parts of an Argument” and “Dismantling an Argument” p. 66 -74 • Read “Homegrown Heroes: Rap Music, Resistance, and Technology” p. 586