ENGL 2901

Wednesday January 22nd

Housekeeping


  1. Roll
  2. Schedule Change...sorry.
  3. Reading Quiz; open an email message and complete the quiz. Send your answers to s-rogers@onu.edu.

Reading Quiz

  1. Typically, 4 things appear in the header of a memo. What are they?
  2. Chapter 3 of Canavor outlines several "universal" rules for good business writing. Name 2 of them.
  3. According to Canavor, what is the value of good document design?

Canavor Chapter 3

"Universal" Principles for Good Writing

  • Look through your audience's eyes.
  • Never assume your reader will connect the dots; spell out key ideas and expectations.
  • Organize carefully, but always be sure to:
    • Tell readers why they should care.
    • Reduce the "big idea" to something memorable.
    • Offer a clear "call to action."

Canavor Chapter 3 

"UNIVERSAL" PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD WRITING cont.

  • Employ formatting to focus attention and to structure your document.
  • Conclude by reinforcing your goals and objectives.
  • Select a tone appropriate for the audience.
  • Wherever possible, cater your message to individuals. 

Rhetorical analysis project

  • Let's look at the prompt first. Any questions?
  • Formatting expectations for the assignment:
    • Follow Alred on "Memos"
      • Include:
        • A Header (To, From, Date, Specific Subject)
        • Body (variable based on content, but be sure to include some kind of introductory/framing section...what does the document do or say?)
        • Conclusion 
      • Formatting additional pages: Last name, page, date


KickStarter analysis

A couple things to note:
  • Be sure to build your analysis around a claim (or claims).
  • Support your claims with evidence.
  • Draw on key terms from our introduction to rhetoric:
  • Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos, Exigence, Identification, Author, Audience, Context.


Heuristic for Rhetorical Analysis

  1. Identify the author. Who are they?  What 'ethos' do they establish?
  2. What is the exigence for the project? Why have they decided to develop this product (and why now)?
  3. Who is the audience ? Identify the kinds of people implicated by this product, service, or idea. 
  4. What is the form and content of the message? All Kickstarter's follow a template; how has this author used the required form? Is it text heavy or full of images? Do they use clear subsections and headings? How good is their "trailer" (how "professional" or "amateur" is it)?
  5. How does the author create (or fail to create) identification with their potential donor? Try to isolate specific mechanisms that you think would inspire someone to give.

Sample analysis


With any remaining time, team up with a classmate and talk about the projects you've selected. Start working through the heuristic, taking notes, etc.

For Monday

  • Work on your Rhetorical Analysis Projects; I will ask you to talk about your work a little in class.
  • Read Williams on (chapters on Moodle):
    • Proximity
    • Alignment
    • Repetition
    • Contrast
  • Canavor Chapters 4 and 5 are optional; read them now or later to get tips on writing more clearly and more concisely.

ENGL 2901

By Scott Rogers

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ENGL 2901

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