In class we practiced analyzing print sources – books, magazines, etc – using rhetorical conventions. For this assignment, you will compose a rhetorical analysis of one of the following websites:
Esperanza Center, https://www.catholiccharities-md.org/services/esperanza-center/
“The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive resource center whose mission is to welcome immigrants by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives. Since 1963, immigrants from all over the world have trusted the Esperanza Center to help them navigate life in a new country. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide services related to education, healthcare, immigration legal matters, family reunification, anti-trafficking, and general community support to thousands of immigrants each year.”
Maryland Immigration Rights Coalition (MIRC) http://marylandimmigrantrightscoalition.org/
“MIRC’S mission is to coordinate and maximize existing resources in order to increase the availability and quality of pro bono and low-cost legal representation to low-income immigrants; to educate the community on immigration matters; and to advocate on behalf of Maryland immigrants. MIRC believes that Maryland is stronger when our communities uphold the dignity and value of each individual.”
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) https://www.lirs.org/
“For almost 80 years, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has been a champion for refugees and migrants from around the globe. Our history reflects American Lutherans’ deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need. Through the Long Welcome, we help ensure that refugees and migrants are protected, embraced, and empowered in a world of just and welcoming communities.”
- First, you need to choose one website to focus on. Then, you need to determine the audience, purpose, context, author, and genre using chapter 2 in Writer/Designer (like we did in class). You should address each of these topics thoroughly with direct evidence from the site and your research. You must use MLA citations for any information you summarize, paraphrase, or quote from any website. This should be 5-7 paragraphs long with clear transitions using the terminology from our textbook. Use this site to help you structure and organize your essay:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/visual_rhetoric/analyzing_visual_documents/organizing_your_analysis.html - Next, you should include a thorough an analysis of the media used on the site you have selected. You should also provide an analysis of the interface – in other words the platform the text is published in – and how that interface affects your experience of the text. When analyzing the interface consider the modes and affordances, including: color, font, information architecture, and user experience. You should analyze how the visualizations were made, what argument the visualizations are making, and how that argument is presented. To do this you may use screen captured images (I suggest command+shift+4 on a Mac or JING), screen captured videos (I suggest Quicktime, Screencast-o-matic, or LiceCAP), or another tool of your choosing with permission from your professor. The idea is to walk your audience through your analysis aurally, visually, spatially, gesturally, and linguistically.
- You must post this to our WordPress site with the media in the appropriate places. This is due by midnight on 2/11. It should be posted as category “blog” and tag “rhetorical analysis.”
This is worth 20% of your grade.
Students will be asked to assent to and to uphold the University Honor Pledge:
“I pledge on my honor that I have neither given nor received
unauthorized assistance on this assignment/exam.”