INSTRUCTIONS
- Introduction: Start by telling us about your chosen popular culture item in just a sentence or two. Briefly explain why you think it's interesting to study this artifact rhetorically. End your introduction with a clear main point (thesis statement) that shows what your essay will argue about how your chosen rhetorical theory helps us understand the item's persuasive power or meaning.
- What It Is (Description of the Artifact): Describe your chosen popular culture item in detail. Pretend your reader has never seen it before. This part should set the scene for your analysis, covering its main features, content, and important background. For example, if you're writing about a movie, describe key scenes, characters, or how it looks. If it's an ad, describe its pictures and words.
- Rhetorical Theory: Dedicate a good chunk of your essay to using your chosen rhetorical theory (from Chapters 3-7).
- What's the theory? Briefly explain what this rhetorical theory is about, showing you understand it.
- How it works in your item: Show how this theory applies to specific parts of your popular culture item. Use clear examples from the item to explain how the theory helps you understand its persuasive tricks or meaning.
- What you learned: Explain how the theory connects to your item and what new things you discovered because of it.
- What It Means (Critical Evaluation): In this part, go beyond just explaining and think critically about what your item's rhetoric means. What's the impact of its persuasive methods? What messages, values, or beliefs does it push or challenge? Think about its bigger role in society, politics, or culture.
- Conclusion: Sum up your main points. Remind the reader how using this rhetorical theory helped you understand the item's persuasive power more deeply. Don't add new information here. End with a general statement about why it's important to study popular culture this way.
Formatting:
- Your essay should be between 1000 and 1500 words.
- Use normal academic formatting (like double-spacing, 12-point font).
- If you use direct quotes or ideas from the textbook, make sure to cite them correctly (e.g., APA, MLA – don't make up your own format).
Criteria | Excellent (A) | Good (B) | Satisfactory (C) | Needs Improvement (D/F) | Points Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Thesis & Argument | Clear, compelling, and insightful thesis statement that clearly articulates the essay's argument. Argument is sophisticated, original, and consistently maintained throughout. | Clear and well-articulated thesis statement. Argument is generally clear and consistent, though may lack some originality or nuance. | Identifiable thesis statement, but may be too broad, vague, or somewhat inconsistent. Argument is present but may be underdeveloped or occasionally unfocused. | Thesis is unclear, missing, or merely descriptive. Argument is absent, contradictory, or extremely weak. | 10 |
Demonstrates a thorough and sophisticated understanding of two distinct rhetorical perspectives from Chapters 3-7. Theories are applied accurately, precisely, and with strong analytical depth. | Demonstrates a solid understanding of two distinct rhetorical perspectives from Chapters 3-7. Theories are generally applied accurately and contribute to the analysis. | Shows a basic understanding of two rhetorical perspectives, but application may be somewhat superficial, inaccurate in places, or lack sufficient integration with the artifact. | Limited or inaccurate understanding of rhetorical perspectives. Theories are misapplied, irrelevant, or only superficially mentioned. May only apply one theory or none. | 25 | |
3. Analysis of Artifact | Provides a detailed and vivid description of the chosen popular culture artifact. Interpretation is highly insightful, revealing complex rhetorical strategies. Evaluation is profound and well-supported. | Provides a clear description of the artifact. Interpretation is solid, showing good insight into rhetorical strategies. Evaluation is logical and supported. | Provides a basic description of the artifact. Interpretation is present but may be simplistic or miss key rhetorical elements. Evaluation is general or lacks strong justification. | Description is insufficient. Interpretation is weak, inaccurate, or missing. Evaluation is absent or unsupported. | 25 |
4. Organization & Structure | Essay is exceptionally well-organized with a clear introduction, logical progression of ideas, coherent paragraphs, and smooth transitions. Conclusion effectively synthesizes arguments. | Essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, logical flow, and generally coherent paragraphs. Transitions are effective. Conclusion summarizes main points. | Essay has a discernible structure, but organization may be occasionally disjointed. Paragraphs may lack full coherence. Transitions may be abrupt. Conclusion is present but weak. | Essay is poorly organized or lacks clear structure. Paragraphs are disjointed. Transitions are absent or confusing. Conclusion is missing or ineffective. | 15 |
5. Evidence & Support | Arguments are consistently and powerfully supported by specific, relevant, and well-integrated examples from the popular culture artifact. Evidence from readings is effectively used to bolster claims. | Arguments are generally well-supported by relevant examples from the artifact. Evidence from readings is used appropriately to support claims. | Arguments are supported by some examples, but they may be too general, underdeveloped, or not fully integrated. Use of course readings may be limited or unclear. | Arguments are unsupported, or evidence is irrelevant, insufficient, or missing. No or inappropriate use of course readings. | 15 |
6. Writing Quality | Writing is clear, concise, and highly engaging. Demonstrates excellent command of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and academic tone. Adheres to word count. | Writing is clear and generally concise. Few errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Academic tone is maintained. Adheres to word count. | Writing is generally understandable, but may contain frequent errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation that sometimes impede clarity. Tone may be inconsistent. Minor word count deviation. | Writing is unclear, disorganized, or contains significant errors in mechanics, making it difficult to understand. Does not adhere to word count. | 10 |
Total | 100 |