A. What you do in the paper:
1) Critique the speech using the Concept Grid from our discussions of Neo-Aristotelian methodology. This should include a short researched treatment of Context (situation, speaker, audience, constraints), then analysis of the speech itself using three of the seven key Canon elements (style, ethos, logos, pathos, delivery, memory, arrangement), ending with an assessment of the Effects and research on the effectiveness of the speech. See the Classical Criticism Concept Grid for a layout of the key elements.
2) At the end of the Context section, develop a Thesis Statement as an italicized single sentence that will focus your analysis of the three key canon elements and clarify your argument about the Effect of the speech. The Writing Handbook section I-E reviews how to create a clear thesis. Put it at the end of the context section. Italicize this!
3) Make titles of main points as arguments (something you claim about the speech/speaker),and support those points with good reasons and quoted examples from the speech, not just assertions. Use the critical vocabulary from the video modules to discuss your speech. Analyze not just what was done in the speech, but how it was done, perhaps why it was done, and whether or not it was effective. Assess ways of improving the speech as a way of criticizing choices that the rhetor made. Remember that criticism goes beyond description to both analysis and interpretation.
4) Provide a main point assessing the Effect of the speech, based on your canon analysis, and include a final section tying things together in some way. Here is the final evaluation of the impact of the speech. This should be more than just concluding remarks, rather, it should answer the “so what” question. What do we get out of this analysis?
Paper Requirements:
*5 pages, double-spaced, TYPED, 12-point font, 1″ margins (This does not include the outline, title page, or bibliography).
*YOU MUST RESEARCH AND QUOTE AT LEAST THREE (3) OUTSIDE SOURCES which must be quoted or referred to with a correct citation that points to a specific Reference. AVOID PLAGIARISM: I would expect at least one source for the Context information, at least one or two quotes from the speech in your analysis, and at least one source to help evaluate the Effect of the speech.
*Main Points: There should be no more than 5 or 6 main points MAXIMUM, each main point should be focused on a single Canon element (entire paper is Context, 3 Canon elements, Effect), have 3+ paragraphs (examples, quotes from speech, analysis and interpretation) and be 1-1 pages long at least.
*ATTACH AN OVERVIEW OUTLINE OF THE PAPER after the title page (1-2 pages). Remember to work from the outline in writing the paper–don’t draw up the outline after the paper is written. Structured correctly (I, A, 1, a. for levels, which are indented correctly to highlight each level), with full-sentence titles that make arguments and subpoints that belong under and support the main points. See Writing Handbook section I-C and D for outlining requirements and practice.
*USE TITLES TO SEPARATE OUT MAIN POINTS OF THE PAPER FOR CLARITY (same titles as in the Outline).
*All papers must follow APA Style for proper source citation, quote formatting, and reference construction.
*You MUST give a full and correct Speech Reference for the speech in the bibliography.
*ALL IN ONE FILE, PLEASE (Dont submit separate files for bib, title, etc.). The submitted paper should include title page, outline, body of the essay, references, copy of the speech (or URL to an online copy).
C. Avoid common novice errors
1) Avoid presenting a “laundry list” of concepts and mixing up the Canon elements. A paragraph does not make a Main point, and each key concept should be developed in depth. Focus on two or three major ideas and develop them in depth. I expect no more than 5 main points: usually Context, 3 Canon elements (pick 3 from Ethos, Logos, Pathos, Style, Delivery, Memory, Arrangement), and Effect. I expect at least ONE PAGE (3-5 paragraphs) of analysis and examples for every main point. Each main point MUST focus on and make critical arguments about a SINGLE Canon elementlong descriptive points are not part of a critical analysis, and main points should
