This is your final paper for the class. It is going to be divided into two parts. Your paper need to be sure it has these critical elements to help you make sure you get started right and earn as many possible points as you can.
~ A complete cover page
~ A clear introduction with preview to the paper and clear closure at the end
~ Utilization of at least five academic sources (you should for sure utilize whatever you can from the classroom)
~ A Reference/Works cited page in proper format
~ Write in 3rd person objective voice unless you are left without a choice to make an “I” statement
~ You may use quotes and they should be short and not make absolutely up no more than 15-20% at most of your paper. Any quoted material must have a full internal citation.
~ The length of your paper should be 5-6 pages (not including cover page and references)
~ Any publication, title, proper place, or emphasized key or foreign words are italicized for emphasis. Do not mix quotation marks and italics.
You are to review the article Demagoguery and Weaponized Communication. You will notice there is an outline of what I am look for you to analyze to show me you fully understand how to do a rhetorical analysis of an article. It lays out criterial for all of the items I would like to see you cover in your paper. It means you may need to do a bit of research on your own about what was happening in 2019 politically and culturally, who the author was, and ask yourself why this paper would be important for people to read at that time. The assignment is not asking if you like or dislike the article. It asking you to analyze it, what kind of message and rhetoric it employs. You are welcome to bring in outside research of the event the author talks about and to pull from the other readings on demagoguery in order to make sure you can answer the questions. They are pretty straightforward. Every element under Key Items of Analysis the ones I want answered in this final paper.
Below is the link to the article. You have to open the PDF.
https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/175471
Here are helpful tools in identifying rhetorical devices, appeals, styles that you can look for in the article.
https://www.gpb.eu/2021/08/rhetorical-tools-list.html
Links to an external site.
(rhetorical tools help item 1)
https://blog.reedsy.com/rhetorical-devices/
Links to an external site.
(rhetorical tools help item 2)
In wrapping up your paper, answer this one last query below.
Closing
~ As you reflect on all of these elements of the course, answer the question — what is the responsibility of freedom? what is the purpose of democracy? Do we have freedom just for the sake of freedom or does it serve a purpose, especially if one believes in a democracy? What are we to do with the right of freedom to speak, the responsibility to reimagine and protect a factual, safe public sphere, and why must it be protected but kept honest and as ethical as possible?
Let me know if you have any questions.
Final Paper Rubric 2022-23
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Cover & Reference page provided in correct format. Paper meets required 5-7 pages content.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Paper utilizes five reliable sources. Format of references was in correct form. Paper format in general was in compliance and utilized properly.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Grammar, punctuation, syntax, spelling, proper 3rd person voice maintained as much as possible, and quoted material kept below 20% of paper.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Key Elements of Analysis (KEA) – Rhetorical Situation & Audience
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
KEA – Author and Purpose
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
KEA – Medium & Context
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
KEA — Warrants — Ethos, Logos, Pathos, & at least 3 examples of rhetorical tools provided
35 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
KEA – Karios & Stasis Explained
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Insightful response to what is the responsibility of freedom question posed. Provides closure to paper.
25 pts
Total Points: 225
Rough Draft
Introduction: Explain what demagogues are and how they are used in our society. Refer to the article “Dangerous Demagogues and Weaponized Communication” and connect it to the main points of this paper.
Rhetorical Situation and Audience: Talk about the author, Jennifer R. Mercieca and her argument about weaponized communication. Explain how her writing is connected to present figures like Alex Jones and Donald Trump. Talk about the dangers in Demagogues involving democracy.
Author and Purpose: Explain Jennifer R. Mercieca’s purpose and why this article is being written. That would be explaining how this author believes Demagogues is dangerous.
Medium and Context: The article was written during a time where there was a great amount of political tension in the American democracy. Explain why the article was published in this time. And how the article relates demagoguery in this political time.
Warrants/ Claim, Ethos, Pathos and Logos: Explain if these are used in the article and determine how they are used. Was there an emotional appeal to the audience? Is the author creditable? And do they build up logical arguments that appeal to the author’s reason? Answer these questions, along with explaining the warrant and claim.
Kairos and Stasis: Describe how this can give a political figure and advantage when used at the right times. Describe how these are used in the article and how they are connected.
Conclusion: Restate the main points and explain how the author believed demagogues was dangerous. Talk about what was taken away from this article. And finished with a strong ending point.
Work cited.