Analyzing Texts or How to Sell a Swagger Wagon Language and Composition, 2010

For every text, you must know  Audience: For whom is the text written?  Purpose: Why is the text written?  Main Idea: What is the message of the text?  Supporting Details: How does the writer develop his/her main idea?

Audience  The group you are addressing  Variety of different mediums: writing, video, lecture, etc.  A successful argument is adapted to the targeted audience

Purpose  Purpose is the reason why you are writing/persuading  Think of your purpose, and then think of which form and style work best to achieve your purpose

Main Idea  The most important information that shows the overall idea  The chief point being conveyed

Supporting Evidence  The facts, statements, examples, etc. that illustrate and clarify the main idea  The strength of the supporting evidence can make or break an argument

A peculiar situation... How to make this Seem like this

The Challenge Swagger Wagon2.mp4 Swagger Wagon2.mp4 1.What’s the main idea? 2.How is this idea supported? 3.Who is the intended audience? How does this video appeal to them? 4.What is the purpose of this video?

Ellen’s Turn  Watch this video of Ellen delivering a commencement speech at Tulane University in New Orleans.  Listen carefully to her words and consider those four key ideas: audience, purpose, main idea, and supporting evidence,. Ellen Commencement Speech.mp4 Ellen Commencement Speech.mp4