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W26 Rhetorical Devices in Business and Activism

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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
Question 1
1.

Question 2
2.

Question 3
3.

Question 4
4.

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).

Question 5
5.

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 6
6.

Question 7
7.

Question 8
8.

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
Question 9
9.

Question 10
10.

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 11
11.

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"

Question 12
12.

Question 13
13.

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.

Question 14
14.

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?
Question 15
15.

Question 16
16.

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

Question 17
17.

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

Question 18
18.

Question 19
19.

Question 20
20.

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.

Question 21
21.

Question 22
22.

Part 5: Optional BONUS questions!!!

Question 23
23.

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!
First, What is the claim or what is this commercial trying to get their audience to do or think?
Their claim is that you should buy Pantene Pro-V
Their claim is that you should try different shampoos until you find the one that is right for your hair
Their claim is that Herbal Essence destroys your hair, so buy Pantene Pro-V or other brands to fix your hair.
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?
The image is of a woman and her hair, and the visual imagery is meant to influence the audience by making them realize how Pantene Pro-V makes your hair a light chesnut brown.
The image is of a woman and her hair, and the visual imagery is meant to influence the audience by showing a model who apprently uses Pantene Pro-V to make her hair beautiful.
The image is of a woman and her hair, and the visual imagery is meant to influence the audience by showing them how Pantene Pro-V gives you more energy throughout the day by giving you vitamins through your hair.
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.
The image is apparently a piece of hair under a microscope. This visual imagery is meant to seem scientific, and since many people trust science and scientists, this image makes Pantene Pro-V seem scientifially effective and reliable for hair.
The image is apparently a piece of hair under a microscope. This visual imagery is meant to scare people by showing them what happens to your hair when you don't use Pantene Pro-V.
The image is apparently a piece of hair under a microscope. This visual imagery is meant to show you how bouncy your hair can be after using Pantene Pro-V by giving a specific example.
Based on who is in the Pantene Pro-V commercial, what audience is this commercial trying to appeal to?
Young women
Older women
Young men
Older men
Gender neutral/ works for all hair types
What rhetorical devices or techniques are used in the commercial for BMW M4 GTS?
visual imagery of the car's design. Also, visual imagery representing computers and science that apparently are used to study and make this car.
Repitition of the car beating a race-car (once in the beginning and once in the end of the commercial)
technical diction or word choice (they also use technical or scientific imagery)
statistics (numbers that represent facts. In other words, numbers that are the results of a study/experiement)
An example of the car's driving and speed
What is Reverend William Barber's claim in this speech?
The claim is that Billionaires have gotten richer in this pandemic, which is not fair, and the government needs to raise the mininum wage to $15.00 an hour.
The claim is that Billionaires have worked hard, long hours for their money and we shouldn't critisize billinaires because that goes against morality.
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.
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.
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
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
ultimately moving his audience to be in support of the $15.00 an hour minimum wage.
Which option do you plan on creating?
Option A: Write a script reviewing a product as a commercial on tik tok
Option B: Write a script fighting for a social justice issue
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.
Yes, I have five periods for five different sentences.
No, I need to go back and revise to earn credit for this question and full credit for my script.
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.
Yes, I capitalized the first word of each sentence and al proper nouns in my script.
No, I need to go back and revise to earn credit for this question and full credit for my script.
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.
Yes, I better understand rhetorical devices and how/why they are used
No, I still do not understand rhetorical devices
Not sure, I think I might understand how people use rhetorical devices, but I'm still struggling with rhetorical analysis
Reflection: When I was stuck, what steps did I take to get unstuck?

Select all that apply! Everyone must choose at least one!
I took deep breaths and pushed out negative thoughts
I set alarms to make sure I completed the work
I came to class and asked my teacher and classmates for help and feedback
I came to office hours and asked for help and feedback
I looked at the comments in this Goformative to make sure my answers and prep work leading up to the paragraphs were correct.
I looked at the example advertisements or speech and how the writer met the requirements for their analysis
I looked up other examples of advertisements or speeches online as examples to guide me when completing this project
I used the Pomodoro method or another method where I would work for a short anount of time and then take a quick break to keep my brain fresh and not frazzled.