RHETORICAL ANALYSIS & ARGUMENT ( Social media impact on indviduals )

Using the rhetorical strategies (logos, ethos, pathos) ANALYZE the two (or more) sources you’ve selected.
First, you’ll need to briefly SUMMARIZE each source. What is the MAIN point of each source? What is discussed? What additional important points are included. If someone asked what this source “says” about the issue, what would you say? Avoid saying “it talks about . . .”! Use verbs like reports, discusses, examines, identifies, reveals, details, etc. Avoid including specific details or data. Focus on MAIN points and supporting points.

Then, you’ll ANALYZE each source: HOW does the author/writer, publication (where it’s published), date (published), audience, and purpose possibly affect the information contained in this piece? HOW do you determine what its primary purpose is? (to inform, to persuade, etc.)? HOW do the specific kinds of information presented in this text create a particular perspective or angle? Examine how the organization of the piece – the people or perspectives focused on, the people/perspectives not present, the facts/statistics used and the sources for those facts/statistics – might shape the audience’s understanding of the content. HOW (be specific) do you know whether the information is reliable and/or credible? HOW do you determine whether this text is intended to be objective? Or, if it is not intended to be objective, how do you know? Remember that even if it is objective, the piece may present a particular “slant” or “perspective.” It may be useful to think in terms of ETHOS, PATHOS, and LOGOS. In what specific ways does the author use these rhetorical appeals in her/his presentation of information?

Finally, decide how primary research (from your previous project 2 or from your own experience, observations, interviews with people) may either add to previous research or respond to ideas in the sources. Write a research introduction (1-2 paragraphs) using the CARS model. You should cite your sources according to a particular academic style, such as APA, MLA, or a citation style used in engineering, such as IEEE.