Assignment - Restructuring the Rhetorical Situation
Topic - The Gun Control in America
Prompt. For this assignment, you will restructure your argument to demonstrate your gained knowledge of audience by composing a public piece, an argument presented in a medium that has been planned and executed with the intention of being staged in the public domain. Therefore, your audience for this will be the general public (not only the academic community).
After you compose your Public Piece, you will post it to the Discussion Board and then engage in a critical conversation with your peers. Respond to at least two peers with thoughtful discussion.
Assignment Options:
- An original editorial cartoon that could be published in a newspaper.
- A public service announcement in the form of a video or commercial (one to two minutes).
- An original poem or song that reflects thoughts and emotions relevant to your stance.
- A brochure or pamphlet highlighting key elements of your argument (appropriate for the general public).
- A poster for public display that uses images and limited text to highlight the issue and argument.
All work is to be original and created by the student. Students may not simply locate a pre-made document and submit it as original work.
Assignment Requirements:
Your public piece should (a) establish a clear audience and purpose; (b) stand as an authentic, engaging, and polished piece that the general public could consume; and (c) communicate an argument effectively (with no gaps in logic or credibility).
A well crafted public piece will
- Reflect a clear stance for an argument.
- Establish a clear audience and purpose.
- Include effective supporting detail.
- Use pathos or logos (or both) to persuade.
- Be edited for clarity.
Format Requirements: Will vary depending on medium (type of document).
2. Submit your secondary response
Each reply should include at least 100 words (although you are encouraged to elaborate further). Your replies should be thoughtful and engaging:
- Avoid simple "cheerleading" replies (like "Wow, good job" or "I agree").
- Encourage further conversation with your classmates with replies that expand on their ideas.
- Offer your own observations and connections.
- Ask questions of each other.
- Feel free to disagree with each other (with due common courtesy and tact, of course).