“Redneck Women” and Identity M. Dilback Feb AP Lang. and Comp. Argument Analysis Project Sample

Arguments Up for Analysis “Redneck Woman” Co-Written and Recorded by Gretchen Wilson (country music artist) Released March 2004 Leading Single from album Here for the Party #1 Hit on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks watch?v=82dDnv9zeLs watch?v=82dDnv9zeLs “No Ordinary Woman” New York Times Op-Ed Piece Author: Judith Warner Published: October 26, /10/26/opinion/26warn er-1.html?_r=0

A Little Taste of Each Piece Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” “No Ordinary Woman” Op-Ed from The New York Times by Judith Warner Someone called me a ‘redneck woman once, and you know what I said back? ‘Why, thank you,”’ she told the country singer Gretchen Wilson at a recent Republican rally. –Sarah Palin

Rhetorical Context, Purpose, Take Home Idea, and Audience Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” Doesn’t fit the “Carrie Underwood” standard. Identifies herself as a real “redneck country girl” and proud of it. Wants to glorify herself and women like her. Redneck appeal is what brings home the Benjamins. Audience: Primary—Country Music Fans, Secondary— Redneck Women “No Ordinary Woman” Op-Ed Is America ready for its 1 st female president/vice- president? Women are intelligent and just as capable as men (and a lot prettier than John McCain ), BUT “’real America’ wants something more than a wife and mother in a female political leader.” Audience: General Public

Ethos, Pathos, Tone

Syllogisms Compared Gretchen Wilson “Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson is a redneck woman. Redneck women are proud of their atypical standards of beauty and behavior (AKA: hard core and trashy). Gretchen Wilson is proud of being hard core and trashy. Op-Ed: “No Ordinary Woman” Only women who work hard are threats to men and worthy of presidency. Sarah Palin is not a threat. Sarah Palin is not worthy of vice- presidency.

Organization

Counter Claims Gretchen Wilson “No, I can't swig that sweet Champagne, I'd rather drink beer all night” (only if you’re of age—note from Mrs. D ). “Victoria’s Secret: Well, there stuff’s real nice, but I can buy the same [dang] thing on a Wal-Mart shelf ½ price.” Op Ed “No Ordinary Woman” “The McCain crowd would have you believe that Palin is the perfect representation of the post-feminist woman... and the start of a more global kind of triumph for the great mass of women.” “Sarah Palin is really not an average woman. She’s actually... quite ‘distinguished’ – for her looks, her grace... her ambition and her drive.”

Tropes and Schemes Diction, Syntax, Imagery/Allusion, Figurative Lang.