By learning about the rhetorical situations, we have considered how arguments must consider multiple elements, such as rhetor, audience, stance, and purpose when forming arguments. We have also learned that persuasive (rhetorical) messages can be constructed through various mediums: text, visual, audio, etc. To complete this essay, you will be using the ideas presented in the following texts to make your argument:
Liza Long’s “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother”
Text article found in our module Week 5 Readings: Week 5 Readings: “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother” (read *before* class on Tues, 9/27)
NPR interview listed to in class: “How Talking Openly Against Stigma Helped a Mother and Son Cope with Bipolar Disorder”Links to an external site.
YouTube video viewed in class: “Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting: Who was Newtown Gunman Adam Lanza?”Links to an external site.
“If Anything Happens I love you” short film viewed in class:
Secondly, you will need to use the Fred Rogers speech to Congress resources:
Textual transcriipt found in our Week 6 Module: Week 6: Fred Rogers Senate Statement on PBS Funding (annotatinons needed by Sun, 10/9 by 11:59PM)
YouTube video of Roger addressing Congress viewed in class: “Fred Rogers Testifies Before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications”Links to an external site.
To complete this assignment, you will have to answer the following questions within the paragraphs of your essay:
What are the argument(s)/message(s) made within the “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother” article and/or resources and the Fred Rogers address to Congress transcriipt/video?
What is the exigence (urgent problem that seeks to have the audience respond to find a solution) and purpose of each the two excerpts (“Lanza” and Rogers)?
Who are the rhetors of both messages? (Remember that a rhetor may be the primary spokesperson, but that he/she might be speaking on behalf of various individuals or groups).
Who is the particular, imagined (universal), and unknown (future) audiences for both messages? Why do you think these audiences are meant to be receiving the message sent?
What do the different mediums of the resources allow us to discover (text, audio, visual) etc?
After providing this information, you will input your insights in a professional, objective manner. After all, you are a rhetor, and your perspectives matter.
Make an objective (no using “I”, please) statement that objectively presents your view of the issues addressed in the Liza Long resources and Fred Rogers statement to Congress transcriipt and/or video.
Outline the common ground that both messages share. What concerns or interests do both messages share?
Outline a solution based on the views both messages are addressing. That is, how can the messages be fulfilled/implemented in our world to bring about a favorable outcome? What is a solution to the problems addressed? Is there a solution—why or why not?
In addition, your will have to choose at least 2-4 class readings from the list below to quote (at least 2 quotes per reading) and to use as support in an analysis section (1-2 paragraphs) to consider how feasible your solution above may be, what challenges it may face, how well your solution may work considering past evidence, or in light of any ideas found within the articles that provide future alternatives:
Week 5 Reading: Inside the Minds of American Mass Shooters
Week 5 Reading: “Mass Shooting and the Myth of the Violent Mentally Ill”
Week 6 Reading: Gun Debate: Where is the Middle Ground?
Week 6: “Mass Shootings and the Mass Media: Does Media Coverage of Mass Shootings Inspire Copycat Crimes?”
