PROFESSOR EWAN'S ENGLISH COURSES
"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."
-William Faulkner
ESSAY: ARGUMENT ANALYSIS
ARGUMENT ANALYSIS: NPO PERSUASIVE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Like loveLife did in South Africa, every one your hypothetical nonprofit organizations is educating the public about an issue and possibly trying to change people’s behavior here in Hawaii (including their attitudes, habits, awareness, or lack thereof). Therefore, it’s important for you to consider how your nonprofit will be conveying your message(s).
RHETORICAL APPEALS
The first part of this assignment is to be sure that you have a strong grasp on the rhetorical appeals below:
Ethos: an appeal to ethics. Ethos is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.
Pathos: an appeal to emotion. Pathos is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.
Logos: an appeal to logic. Logos is a way of persuading an audience by reason.
Directions) This is an individual assignment. Therefore, you will not be working with other members of your group. The goal of this assignment is to use your persuasive writing, research, and artistic skills to educate people about your nonprofit organization and/or to make people change a specific behavior. First, you are each going to create an advertisement for your nonprofit organization using at least one example of ethos, pathos, and logos. Then, you are going to write a minimum 300 word argument analysis essay that thoroughly explains the modes of persuasion you’re using in your advertisement. Then, when you are finished, your group will be posting your advertisements onto your social media pages.
ADVERTISEMENTS
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Your advertisements can be digitally created using pictures you take off of the internet).
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Your advertisements can be original artwork (using paper and markers or other materials).
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Your advertisements must include one example of each of the following rhetorical appeals: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.
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If you make a digital advertisement, you must print out a copy of your advertisement and submit it with your argument analysis essay (in color or black & white).
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Your advertisement should probably include your NPO’s logo and a link to your NPO’s website.
ADVERTISEMENT EXAMPLE
ARGUMENT ANALYSIS ESSAY
Your argument analysis essay should be a minimum of 300 words.
For the essay, use the following format:
PARAGRAPH #1: Introduction & Target Audience
In this paragraph, you should mention the name of your nonprofit organization, your mission statement, and the “target audience” for your advertisement. What group (or demographic) are you targeting? Parents? Locals? Tourists? Students? Be sure to be as specific as possible. For example, if you’re targeting students, explain if you’re targeting middle schoolers, high schoolers, or college students. Also, explain how components of your advertising are targeting this specific audience. Additionally, explain where you would post this advertisement in order to reach your audience.
PARAGRAPH #2: Rhetorical Appeals
In this paragraph, you will explain how you are using Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in your advertisement. Be sure the reader understands that you know the meaning of each of these rhetorical appeals. Then, explain how each appeals is evident in your advertisement.
PARAGRAPH #3: Brief Conclusion
Close the essay by briefly explaining your confidence in the advertisement you’ve created. Then, explain how your group plans on using this advertisement to spread your message.
ESSAY EXAMPLE
FUNDAMENTALS OF NARRATIVE NONFICTION
This is the powerpoint that we went over in class, which discusses the fundamentals of narrative nonfiction. View this powerpoint to refresh your memory on some of the larger conventions of the genre. As you write your essay, it’s important to remember that it’s difficult to capture all of these literary techniques in a 1,000 word essay. That being said, the deeper understanding you have of these conventions, the more powerful your writing becomes.