W26 Rhetorical Devices in Business and Activism

This week, you will have the choice of two roles:
1.)  Businessman/businesswoman
2.) Politician/ activist


Before you begin to take on these roles, let's prepare by reviewing rhetorical techniques used by the experts. 

PART 1: Rhetorical devices as used by businessman/businesswoman 

We will be analyzing COMMERCIALS

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First, What is the claim or what is this commercial trying to get their audience to do or think?

1

Within the first five seconds, the commercials uses the technique of visual imagery to convince you to buy Pantene Provelene. See image:

How is this technique of visual imagery supossed to influence the commercial's audience?

1

At around 10 seconds in the commercial, the commercial uses visual imagery again to influence their audience. See image below:

How is the technique of imagery being used to influence the commercial's audience? Note, this is not an actual microcopic image of hair. This is computer generated.

1

At the same time the commercial uses visual imagery it also uses scientific or technical diction (diction just means word choice, so in other words, they are using scientific sounding words). See subtitles in the image below:

Directions: Find two words that demonstrate the commercial trying to use scientific or technical diction (again, this only means words that try to sound scientific or technical).

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At around 15 seconds in, the commercial also uses the technique of statistics to influence their audience (even if the statistics are not based on anything . . . 😂 )

What statistic does this commercial use to try and influence their audience.

1

Based on who is in the Pantene Pro-V commercial, what audience is this commercial trying to appeal to?

1

What rhetorical devices or techniques are used in the commercial for BMW M4 GTS?

2

These commercials use all kinds of rhetorical techniques or devices to influence their audeince. Here is a summary of some:

Flattery, to make the viewer feel like they are the best and worthy of the best car or hair product.
statistics, to appear as if they have done research on their product and people have a hard time arguing against facts (even when they are fake as they are in most commercials, unfortuantely).
visual imagery, to show beautiful images that inspire the viewer or images that convince the viewer the product is scientific hence trustworthy.
Scientific or technical diction (word choice) to use words that sound intelligent, knowledgeable and hence trustworthy.

QUESTION: Which technique did you see that was most influential to you and why? If the technique that influenced you the most is not listed above, name it below and explain it to us! :)

Part 2: Rhetorical devices as used by Politicians or Activists
We will be analyzing a speech

1

What is Reverend William Barber's claim in this speech?

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The reverend/ political activist William Barber uses statistics throughout his entire speech. Remember, Statistics are facts presented as numbers that are the result of a study or research. Find one example where he cites statistics to influence his audience of his claim/purpose.

1

Question: Barber uses the rhetorical device or technique of reptition. Look at the image and/or the quote below from Reverend Barber. What word does he repeat?

"the first to get sick, the first to get infected, the first to go to the hospital, and the first to die"

1

Directions: Read the analysis portion of the paragraph below and find where the author uses a warrant or definition to explain the quote and strenghten their paragraph for clarity and understanding.

Note: Topic sentence and quote missing from this paragraph. Below is only the analysis portion of the paragraph
Barber repeats the word "first" and follows each "first" with different things poor/low-wage people have been subjectgated to or endured during the pandemic. The word "First" means that it comes before all others, so by repeating the word "first", Barber emphasizes that poor and low-wage people have endured the pains of this pandemic before all others and ultimately more than all others. By repeating "first", Barber emphasizes all the different ways poor and low-wage people have suffered, forcing his audience to feel empathy or sadness for our front-line low-wage workers, and ultimately moving his audience to be in support of the $15.00 an hour minimum wage.

1

Directions: Read the analysis portion of the paragraph below and copy and paste (or type out) the sentence where the writer explains how how the rhetorical device of reptition would influence how Barber's audience would feel emotionally.

Note: only provide the one sentence or part of that sentence where the author explains the emotion the audience would feel from the reptition.

Note: Topic sentence and quote missing from this paragraph. Below is only the analysis portion of the paragraph
Barber repeats the word "first" and follows each "first" with different things poor/low-wage people have been subjectgated to or endured during the pandemic. The word "First" means that it comes before all others, so by repeating the word "first", Barber emphasizes that poor and low-wage people have endured the pains of this pandemic before all others and ultimately more than all others. By repeating "first", Barber emphasizes all the different ways poor and low-wage people have suffered, forcing his audience to feel empathy or sadness for our front-line low-wage workers, and ultimately moving his audience to be in support of the $15.00 an hour minimum wage.

1

Reverend Barber uses all kinds of rhetorical techniques or devices to influence his audeince. Here is a summary of some:
Volume of his voice, to emphasize certain words, which help get across important points as well as show his emotions, therefore showing his devotion to the ideas being presented.
statistics, to provide facts and people have a hard time arguing against facts.
Reptition, to emphasize certain words and situations to illustrate a larger point.
Allusions, which are references to other books, movies, speakers, people. Here Barber alludes or references biblical places and people to help his audience relate the current situation with a biblical situation. This helps people see the situation in a new light.
Examples, where he demonstrates through examples how poor and low-wage people have died and suffered the most, thus causing his audience to feel empathy or sadness.

QUESTION: Which technique did you see that was most influential to you and why? If the technique that influenced you the most is not listed above, name it below and explain it to us! :)

Part 3: YOUR TURN! Choose your Role!

NOTE: if you do not want to sell bath bombs, you can choose another product to try and sell. Some other ideas include

-A makeup brand
-A hair product 
-A video game
-A pair of shoes
-Your choice

NOTE: if you do not want to write a script for the $15 minimum wage, you can choose a different political stance. Some other ideas include

-Fight against the $15 minimum wage
-Affordable housing or rent control
-Guaranteed housing
-Medicare for All or free healthcare for everyone
-Free college tuition
-Against any of the above
-Your choice! Be radical or conservative. What would you fight for or against?

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Which option do you plan on creating?

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You must use a minimum of 3 rhetorical devices. What rehtorical devices do you plan on using?

10

Write your script! To help you get started, feel free to use the opening below OR create your own!

Hi, you all know me, it's _____. Today, I'm here to talk about . Did you know _

Requirements:
A minimum of three rhetorical devices
A minimum of 5 sentences
Each sentence begins with a capital letter
Each sentence ends with a period

Part 4: Review & Reflection

1

Do I have five periods, which means I have at least five sentences in my script (question 17)?

Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

1

Did I capitalize the first word of each sentence and any proper nouns in my script?

Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

1

Often, artists/writers/creators end up changing their ideas as they do their work.

Question: What three (or more) rhetorical devices did you end up using in your script? Name them below.

1

After writing a speech or commercial, I better understand rhetorical devices or techniques and how and why rhetorical techniques are used in the real world.

1

Reflection: When I was stuck, what steps did I take to get unstuck?

Select all that apply! Everyone must choose at least one!

Part 5: Optional BONUS questions!!!

0

Click "show your work" and upload or find images you would use for your commercial or during your tik tok political pitch. See the image above if you do not know how to add pictures

AND/OR 
record your commercial or Tik Tok Political pitch below! Practice emphasizing certain words with the rhetorical technique of volume with your voice.  Or, if you created a tik tok, send us the link in the comment section.

Nobody will hear this except your teachers, who will shower you with love for practicing the power of your voice! Only love from our end here!

No audio recorded

This week, you will have the choice of two roles:

1.) Businessman/businesswoman

2.) Politician/ activist

PART 1: Rhetorical devices as used by businessman/businesswoman

First, What is the claim or what is this commercial trying to get their audience to do or think?

Within the first five seconds, the commercials uses the technique of visual imagery to convince you to buy Pantene Provelene. See image: How is this technique of visual imagery supossed to influence the commercial's audience?

At around 10 seconds in the commercial, the commercial uses visual imagery again to influence their audience. See image below: How is the technique of imagery being used to influence the commercial's audience? Note, this is not an actual microcopic image of hair. This is computer generated.

At around 15 seconds in, the commercial also uses the technique of statistics to influence their audience (even if the statistics are not based on anything . . . 😂 )What statistic does this commercial use to try and influence their audience.

Based on who is in the Pantene Pro-V commercial, what audience is this commercial trying to appeal to?

What rhetorical devices or techniques are used in the commercial for BMW M4 GTS?

Part 2: Rhetorical devices as used by Politicians or Activists

What is Reverend William Barber's claim in this speech?

The reverend/ political activist William Barber uses statistics throughout his entire speech. Remember, Statistics are facts presented as numbers that are the result of a study or research. Find one example where he cites statistics to influence his audience of his claim/purpose.

Question: Barber uses the rhetorical device or technique of reptition. Look at the image and/or the quote below from Reverend Barber. What word does he repeat?"the first to get sick, the first to get infected, the first to go to the hospital, and the first to die"

Part 3: YOUR TURN! Choose your Role!

Which option do you plan on creating?

You must use a minimum of 3 rhetorical devices. What rehtorical devices do you plan on using?

Part 4: Review & Reflection

Do I have five periods, which means I have at least five sentences in my script (question 17)? Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

Did I capitalize the first word of each sentence and any proper nouns in my script?Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

Often, artists/writers/creators end up changing their ideas as they do their work.Question: What three (or more) rhetorical devices did you end up using in your script? Name them below.

After writing a speech or commercial, I better understand rhetorical devices or techniques and how and why rhetorical techniques are used in the real world.

Reflection: When I was stuck, what steps did I take to get unstuck?Select all that apply! Everyone must choose at least one!

Part 5: Optional BONUS questions!!!

Click "show your work" and upload or find images you would use for your commercial or during your tik tok political pitch. See the image above if you do not know how to add pictures

AND/OR

Within the first five seconds, the commercials uses the technique of visual imagery to convince you to buy Pantene Provelene. See image:

How is this technique of visual imagery supossed to influence the commercial's audience?

At around 10 seconds in the commercial, the commercial uses visual imagery again to influence their audience. See image below:

How is the technique of imagery being used to influence the commercial's audience? Note, this is not an actual microcopic image of hair. This is computer generated.

At around 15 seconds in, the commercial also uses the technique of statistics to influence their audience (even if the statistics are not based on anything . . . 😂 )

What statistic does this commercial use to try and influence their audience.

Question: Barber uses the rhetorical device or technique of reptition. Look at the image and/or the quote below from Reverend Barber. What word does he repeat?

"the first to get sick, the first to get infected, the first to go to the hospital, and the first to die"

Do I have five periods, which means I have at least five sentences in my script (question 17)?

Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

Did I capitalize the first word of each sentence and any proper nouns in my script?

Note: you will not earn credit for this question until you review and correct your script to make sure it has 5 sentences.

Often, artists/writers/creators end up changing their ideas as they do their work.

Question: What three (or more) rhetorical devices did you end up using in your script? Name them below.

Reflection: When I was stuck, what steps did I take to get unstuck?

Select all that apply! Everyone must choose at least one!