You are to write a compare and contrast essay on three texts that examine the topic of our relationship to advertising. You will compare and contrast the rhetorical/argumentative elements of each text.
Requirements
1,500-2,000 words in MLA format.
A short intro which mentions/describes the three texts and their distinct rhetorical features.
Cohesive body paragraphs (with transitions!) that examine all three texts.
A conclusion at the end of the essay that reiterates the main points of comparison (using different language from the intro) followed by some comments on the effectiveness of the texts approaches.
Either a subject-by-subject or point-by-point comparison structure (pick one and stick to it!) that examines three subjects with three points.
Parenthetically cited evidence from each of the texts embedded into your discussion using quotation sandwich format.
Academic vocabulary which you use in your analysis (any of the terms we have covered in class or from the glossaries at the end of the Language of Composition chapters).
Your essay should reflect careful proofreading and should be free of serious errors.
If there were any serious issues from your last essay, you should show me that you read/understood my feedback by improving upon those flaws with this essay.
Include an epigraph at the beginning of your essay and give your essay a clever or thoughtful title.
Include a works cited page.
On the first due date, we will have a Discussion devoted to peer editing just like we did with the Rhetorical Analysis essay.
On the final due date, submit your final draft to the appropriate drop-box on Canvas.
When is this due?
You need a draft for Peer Editing on Wednesday, 4/14/2021. This does NOT need to be a final draft, but should be as complete as possible. Students who do not participate in the peer editing process will automatically have 10% deducted from the final draft grade.
The final draft is due on Wednesday, 4/21/2021. Submit your final draft to the appropriate dropbox on CANVAS on or before the due date. I will not accept late submissions.
Structure
Remember the structures we talked about last week? Just in case, here’s one of the structural examples we looked at that compared and contrasted cities as travel destinations:
Subject 1: Philadelphia
1. Climate
2. Public Transportation
3. Attractions
4. Accommodations
Subject 2: San Diego
1. Climate
2. Public Transportation
3. Attractions
4. Accommodations
I highly recommend using this subject-by-subject structure for this essay assignment. If you decide to, your essay might look something like this:
Subject 1: The Piracy of Privacy
1. Pathos
2. Concessions
3. Use of outside sources
Subject 2: Marketing Ate Our Culture
1. Pathos
2. Concessions
3. Use of outside sources
Subject 2: Generation Like
1. Pathos
2. Concessions
3. Use of outside sources
You shouldn’t just do this structure because I used it as a model; actively read the texts and decide what makes sense to you…
Subjects
You should select three texts from the list below to compare and contrast as the subjects of your essay.
Marketing Ate Our Culture by Terry O’Reilly
The Piracy of Privacy by Allen D. Kanner
Kid Kustomers by Eric Schlosser
PBS Frontline: Generation Like by Douglas Rushkoff (film, available at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/generation-like/)
The Allegory of the Cave by Plato
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold by Morgan Spurlock (film)
Points
Select three points to examine as your compare and contrast the texts. Your points should be rhetorical/argumentative features of the text that reflect evidence of your 122 studies. You may choose three from my list below or come up with your own:
Classical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos)
Diction
Syntax
Tone
Effective use of concession / rebuttal
Figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, etc.)
Logical fallacies?
Structure of argument
Use of outside sources for support
Questions to Ask Yourself
Not sure where to begin when it comes to finding points to examine across three texts? Ask yourself these questions as you read and see if they inform your structure…
Which rhetorical strategies were most effective?
Were there any logical fallacies?
What comments can I make on the effectiveness of structure/arrangement?
Which text helped me understand the subject more clearly?
How did audience shape the argument?
How were the texts alike and how were they different?
Were the mediums of text advantageous (ie. video versus written word)?
How is the use of rhetoric intended to affect the reader or serve the purpose? (That last one is important, hence the bold type)
Suggestions
If you start the essay and then feel a little overwhelmed, consider these suggestions:
Make an appointment to Zoom with me for specific questions/concerns.
Figure out if you want to do a point-by-point or subject-by-subject essay before you start writing (highly recommended).
I recommend creating a graphic organizer (like any of the examples from the text; there are a few in chapter 2) before writing in order to generate some questions/observations about style.
Remember SOAPS (chapter 1)? Review it and apply it to all three texts.
Dont forget about prcis writing. Work elements of prcis paragraphs into the introduction of your essay. Thats a great way to present the purposes of the texts as well as some of their distinct rhetorical features.
Try some of the pre-writing approaches we practiced as you review the texts (arch method, chunking, etc.)
Consider things we talked about in class such as diction, tone, arrangement, concession, refutation, etc. Review the glossaries at the ends of chapters 1-3.
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