Eng 102 -- Comparative Rhetorical Analysis



Eng 102 – Essay 4

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis

Mrs.Matayabas

Fall 2012

Should These Books be on

The Banned Book List?

Rationale: Censorship is a serious issue that deeply questions our values and impacts our rights of freedom of speech. However, as noted in the GILC article What is Censorship: “The rationales for censorship have varied, with some censors targeting material deemed to be indecent or obscene; heretical or blasphemous; or seditious or treasonous. Thus, ideas have been suppressed under the guise of protecting three basic social institutions: the family, the church, and the state.” It is important to all of us to understand, examine, and evaluate our own opinions and values that will influence our views of censorship.

Task: In an 8-10 page argumentative essay (plus works cited page following MLA style), students will complete a comparative rhetorical analysis of two novels from the 2012 Banned Book list. A rhetorical analysis requires substantial time and thought, so select a censorship topic (listed below) and two novels (the 2012 list will be provided) you feel passionate about. Consider your audience. Remember that your reader may or may not be familiar with the novels or the authors of those novels. You will need to provide some background information of the author and the circumstances of the banned status. In addition, you will need to provide enough examples, quotations, images, or description to show how the argument for censorship works. You should also find material arguing against the banned status of your novels, and thoroughly relay those arguments as well. In addition, the novels will be used as sources to provide examples of the questionable passages that caused the ban on the novels; however, additional research will provide articles and further discussion on either side of the argument for the ban on both novels. Your thesis should make it clear which side of the argument you are advocating, and your conclusion should provide clear and insightful recommendations for the continued ban or removal of the ban on both novels.

Required Research Material

As with any research project, students should choose a wide variety of research material for the best and most diverse ideas and literature in the field of study. (The following are minimum requirements; however, additional sources above and beyond the minimum requirement are encouraged.)

a) The 2 banned books chosen to compare (one book is provided; the other book is of your choice – it is recommended that you check your chosen book out of the CGCC library or other public library to cut additional cost for this class.)

b) 2 Books about censorship (books about censorship may or may not specifically mention those books you have chosen to compare; however, they will provide discussion and information about the history of censorship and/or the reasons for censorship (as listed on this assignment sheet.)

c) 1 subject encyclopedia

d) 2 Journal Articles (one must be a peer-reviewed article) – the Literary databases will be a valuable resource to meet this requirement and students will be taught how to access it during the Library orientation for this assignment.

e) Carolivia Herron’s presentation (Primary Research)

f) 1 Visual (the visual may be a chart, table, graph or statistical representation of censorship information – or it may include a cartoon or magazine cover that satirizes or informs readers about incidences of censorship)

g) 1 well-evaluated source with a viewpoint that would oppose the argument you have identified

Reasons for Censorship (Your work will be easier if you pick 2 novels that have been banned for similar reasons to provide a cohesive theme to your essay. However, two very diverse novels will still have similarities that could be explored; it will just be more of a challenge, but potentially very interesting.) Here is a list of the broad, yet common reasons for censorship that may lead to banning or other censorship issues.

Racism and other prejudices

Sexual content

Violence

Religious views

Hostile political environment

What do you need to know?

When you write a rhetorical analysis it is important to study your two

novels carefully to identify key patterns. It is also important to lay out the basic facts for each text—its rhetorical situation: “who” is writing about “what” for “which” audience (or audiences). You will conduct research to accurately identify the argument for and against the censorship of your chosen novels, where and when those arguments appear in print, in what medium, and so on. Also consider what other information you or another reader might need to fully understand the text and the arguments for and against the ban.

How will you do it?

As a support assignment to help you complete this longer essay, there will be a formal evaluation and rhetorical précis assignment that will count as Essay 3 before this last Essay, the Comparative Rhetorical Analysis is due. This will give you more time to experience evaluating your sources carefully. In addition, class activities and homework assignments will help you come up with specific material for your essay.

In general terms, the evaluation of each resource you choose will go through the following processes:

Examine the logical appeals: Look carefully at how well the claims made in a piece are stated, qualified, and supported. Be specific in identifying these appeals, quoting from verbal/written arguments and describing visual arguments.

Examine emotional appeals: Is the argument enhanced by legitimate emotional appeals? Identify these emotions, explain how they are generated, and evaluate their relevance to the claim offered. Again, be specific.

Examine ethos: Assess the credibility of the writer, artist, or sponsoring

institution. Is the argument presented by someone you are moved to trust? Is the appeal honest? Do you find yourself identifying with the argument? Explain precisely why, using specific evidence from the argument you are analyzing.

Consider how each article treats rebuttals or alternative perspectives. Does the argument show an awareness of alternative perspectives or points of view? How well does the argument answer obvious objections? Do you find yourself being influenced by the arguments you thought you would be against? How is the author influencing you?

Evaluate how well your articles’ arguments work?

After reading your sources, make a detailed evaluative claim about the source, the author, and the ideas presented in the article.

Pocket Folder Checklist:

Turn in all your work using a Two Pocket Folder organized as follows:

Left Side:

a. All library worksheets

b. Any prewriting not already graded

c. Copies of all print research articles used as a source in your essay. Use a highlighter to mark all summarized, paraphrased, or direct quotes used in paper

Right Side:

d. On top, STAPLED Final Essay including complete Works Cited page following MLA style

(CLEARLY state that it is the Final Draft of your essay.)

e. Two rough drafts – one must be the rough draft brought to class for the peer review and the peer-review sheet completed in class must accompany the draft

f. Other drafts should be those that were taken to the Writing Center for review that are stamped, dated and signed by a Writing Center Tutor (these are worth extra credit as described in your course description.)

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