Phase 1 Inquiry Project

Phase 1 Inquiry Project
“Who am I as a consumer of rhetoric?”

Rough Draft Due Date: September 21st
Final Draft Due Date: September 25th

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to critically reflect on the ways that rhetoric impacts audiences in light of the big ideas and concepts we’ve discussed over the course of Phase 1.

Outcomes in Focus:
• Read, interpret, and communicate key concepts in writing and rhetoric
• Use flexible writing process strategies to generate, develop, revise, edit, and proofread texts

Task: Your task here is two-fold.
Part 1: Rhetorical Lens “Choose Your Own Adventure” (length and format will vary). Choose a piece of media that we’ve discussed during this phase. This might be a podcast we’ve listened to, a speech we’ve read, or some other piece of media that we’ve encountered. Using your explorations (particularly part 2) from this phase as a starting point, you’ll consider this piece of media through a rhetorical lens & identify the purpose/message and intended audience of this piece. Next, you’ll identify 3-4 rhetorical “moves” that your chosen piece of media is making and make a case for how those “moves” effectively communicate with the intended audience. You might not use the “buzzwords” of rhetorical studies (ethos, kairos, etc.), but instead will make these terms visible to your audience by using your own voice to describe what you see happening in the piece. Quotes, descriptions, and summary will act as evidence as you make your case for the impact of these “moves” on the intended audience. You will likely find it helpful to refer to the Rhetorical Lens Questions, especially those questions about Rhetorical Impact.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pob0GSNFa6UCZO1gQiKO2c-mNcd41XgWaiwiUTPF3PA/edit?usp=sharing

For this part of the project, you have a few options for presenting your information. You can choose from:
• Infographic (I recommend using Piktochart as it is free to use and has a large selection of templates)
https://piktochart.com/

• Slideshow (using Powerpoint, Google Slides [SlideCarnival has great templates], Prezi’s free version, etc.)https://www.slidescarnival.com/
https://prezi.com/

Example: Rhetorical Analysis Slideshow
https://prezi.com/n6_msh33jjus/childish-gambino-this-is-america/

Part 2: Reflection Essay (250 words or about 1 double-spaced page)
Next, you’ll briefly examine what makes you “tick” as a consumer of rhetoric. As we’ve worked through this phase, what have you noticed about yourself? Are you attracted to works with an emotional pull, texts that appeal to your logic, or works that are particularly kairotic or timely? Is it more nuanced than that? Identify 1-2 “moves” that are compelling to you as an audience member. Why do you think those moves resonate with you?

Inquiry Project Checklist
A “complete” inquiry project checks all of these boxes.

General Guidelines
Format: Includes both the infographic/slideshow and reflection
**The final draft must show evidence of significant revision**
Infographic OR Slideshow
Maintains a neutral (or more objective) stance on the text – does not veer into the realm of personal feelings
Uses tone and format appropriate to the audience (your peers & classmates)
Identifies the intended audience & purpose of the text you are analyzing
Identifies at 3-4 rhetorical “moves” in the text
Provides 2-3 pieces of evidence for each move in the form of quotes, descriptions, summaries, etc.
Concludes with a brief statement from the writer (you) about how well the text effectively persuades or communicates its message with its intended audience
Generally, uses complete sentences. Avoids bullet points & sentence fragments
Reflection Essay
Uses a reflective yet academic tone; uses the first-person point of view
The format is a personal reflection essay; no bullet points!
Identifies 1-2 moves that are compelling to you as an audience member & attempts to explain why those moves resonate with you. This should not speak directly to your infographic/slideshow text unless you are the intended audience for that piece.
Show evidence of thoughtful reflection