Evals& Rhetoric

• Discuss rhetoric in readings
• Credibility: Examine credentials/consider potential audience.
  • Logic: criteria, comparison (comp subject to what came before) point out innovation, consider “public resonance” in the two concert reviews
  • Pathos: target audience? What will they expect from you?
  • Public Resonance: the significance of the subject matter, that connects sentiment to it
• Your Task as writers:
  • Credibility: Why should we take your opinion seriously?
    • Hint: know what you’re talking about.
    • Show understanding of subject by being able to discuss its context (public resonance).
    • Demonstrate that you are well-versed in your topic by referring to other works that have set the standards for the genre
  • Create a logical text by
    • Addressing elements specific to your subject. For example if you are discussing film you will consider genre, acting, writing, directing, cinematography. For a restaurant you would discuss food, décor & atmosphere, service, menu, price. For music, you would discuss genre, lyrics, song construction & instrumentation, context, vocal styles, production.
    • Always consider context, regardless of your subject matter. From technology to concerts, context matters.
    • Referring to other examples
    • Offering a point of concession: find a point that you allow those who disagree with you to “have.”
  • Appeal to your audience by
  • Crafting an engaging tone
  • Offering a logical and easy to understand review
  • Understanding who they are (fans of the genre, readers of a particular publication, etc.)

• Thesis: This is an argument! Your thesis must offer a clear assessment of your subject
  • Does your subject meet, exceed, or fall short of expectations or the hype leading up to it?
  • Perhaps you find your subject to be mostly successful but it falls short in an area. You can craft a thesis that makes this claim.
  • Conversely perhaps your subject falls short in almost all areas but does succeed at achieving some of its goals. You can craft a thesis that makes this claim.