2/24/25

Overview of Today's Class

  • Essays: Grades will be returned by Wednesday; discussions on revisions expected during the next class.

  • Assignment Submission: A five-minute grace period for submissions was provided.

  • Focus: Comprehensive analysis of selected ads for the rhetorical analysis practice assignment.

Rhetorical Analysis

  • Goal: To analyze rhetorical elements within three ads—considering how these elements interrelate.

  • Components to Analyze:

    • Message: What is being communicated?

    • Purpose: Why is it being communicated to a specific audience?

    • Intended Audience: Who is the message aiming to reach?

    • Rhetorical Appeals: Identification of at least one appeal for analysis.

Selected Ads for Analysis

Example 1: Pride Oreo Ad

  • Purpose:

    • Celebrate Pride Month and convey messages of empowerment to the LGBTQ+ community.

    • Utilize motivational quotes to promote inclusion and support.

  • Intended Audience:

    • Primarily LGBTQ+ community members.

    • Allies invited to engage with supportive messaging.

  • Design Elements:

    • Rainbow colors to symbolize LGBTQ+ pride.

    • Encouraging language such as "You are perfect" to promote feelings of pride and support.

  • Rhetorical Appeals:

    • Ethos: Oreo positions itself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

    • Pathos: Emotional engagement through empowerment and direct messaging.

    • Logos: Quotes imply broader support from the community.

Example 2: Crisis Relief Singapore Ad

  • Purpose:

    • Convey that social media likes do not equate to actual help.

    • Motivate viewers to volunteer for crisis relief efforts.

  • Intended Audience:

    • Social media users, especially those emotionally invested in humanitarian issues.

  • Rhetorical Appeals:

    • Pathos: The ad evokes urgency, guilt, empathy, and compassion by displaying suffering.

    • Logos: Logical connection between volunteering and effecting real change.

Example 3: US Army Recruitment Ad

  • Purpose:

    • Recruit young adults into the US Army through appeals to family pride and character development.

  • Intended Audience:

    • Primarily young men but also potentially young women interested in military service.

  • Rhetorical Appeals:

    • Pathos: Appeal to emotions surrounding familial pride and personal development.

    • Logos: Tangible benefits like job training and financial support for education.

Discussion Points

  • Effectiveness of Ads: Discuss how each ad communicates its message, utilizes rhetorical appeals, and targets its intended audience effectively.

  • Rhetorical Elements: Weigh how design choices contribute to or detract from the effectiveness of each ad's message.

  • Comparative Analysis: Future class to include side-by-side comparisons of ads for deeper understanding.

Conclusion

  • No homework assigned before the next class.

  • Next Discussion: Detailed analysis of essay guidelines for future assignments and continuing analysis practices.