Doing Rhetorical Criticism “One way to define criticism succinctly would be as the systematic process of illuminating and evaluating products of human activity.” --- James R. Andrews

Purpose Answer a general question about communication Answer questions about a specific artifact Apply or refine a particular method Understand author or culture from which an artifact came Evaluate Effectiveness or Ethicality of Artifact

Process 1 2 3 4 Preparation Engagement Reflection and Analysis Expression

Basic Process: Preparation General research question or assignment that calls for rhetorical analysis Preliminary secondary research and observation to determine basic focus

The Role of Theories & Method Concepts from theories and methods make us more sensitive to features of text Focus our attention Clarify evaluations and judgments Methods helps us analyze more systematically

Basic Process: Engagement Select Artifact(s) Engage in description of artifact(s) Engage in description of context “Please do secondary research. Use the jargon of the medium!”

What type of text to select? Representative “Typical” superhero movie Unique Significant historically Significant topically Significant visually

Basic Considerations Extrinsic Analysis Period/Situation Audiences Occasion Speaker How do factors outside the text shape speech/text and explain its success or failure? Intrinsic Analysis Argument Logic Word Choice, Imagery, etc. Delivery How do factors within the text explain its success or failure?

Do Quick Extrinsic Analysis Name factors related to Comic industry Other mediums Social environment Political environment Historical events Economic concerns

Do Quick Intrinsic Analysis Name factors related to Character (origins and motivations) Plot (type and flow) Imagery (diegesis and composition)

Basic Process: Engagement Formulate focus for analysis (argument) Look for patterns Look for omissions Look for relationships Your argument links the I/E analyses to your theory

Basic Process: Reflection and Analysis Identify approach that best illuminates your emerging argument about the text This approach should both aid in your analysis and help to express your findings better than you could have without the theory/approach

Basic Process: Reflection and Analysis Apply approach with a goal in mind This is what it means—interpretation This is why or how it “worked”—explanation

Basic Process: Expression Write the critical essay Discuss key elements of artifact (informed by secondary research) Describe theory (informed by secondary research) Conduct your analysis and report key findings Connect findings to larger conversation about American values or power

Response Paper 1 Discuss story/art elements of artifact (informed by secondary research) Describe theory (informed by secondary research) Offer an argument

Response Paper 2 Revise Response Paper 1 (informed by research on genre or fandom) Conduct interpretive or explanatory analysis (informed by factors related to context, story and/or art) Connect findings to larger conversation about American values and power

Application Read and Think! Integration of comic book concepts as criteria or support for your arguments will be key to your success in final presentation.