Rhetorical Analysis

Assignment 4: Rhetorical Analysis (15 %)

“As Seen on TV—Television and Film”
Analyzing Critical Categories of Difference in a TV Show

Assignment Overview

Since much of our understanding about critical categories of difference— race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, culture—comes from this popular medium, analyzing TV depictions more closely can lend valuable insight into how our language and understanding of different groups is shaped or affirmed. Your goal for this assignment is to rhetorically analyze a television show from the perspective of examining how one or more of the critical categories is portrayed on the show and how those portrayals function within culture. Some characters and situations may cross boundaries between categories and your analysis may focus on one or more of these categories as they are relevant to the particular argument you make. The final analysis will be an essay of 800 – 1000 words and will include at least two relevant visuals.

Completing the Assignment

Part of this assignment will require a brief description of the show; its overall premise and characters will need to be described. Also, you will need to focus your analysis in some way. For example, you could chose to discuss a particular character, a relationship between two characters, a way in which the show regularly depicts a certain group or situation, the show’s premise, etc. The main goal of your analysis should be to look critically at the messages (both overt and hidden) that the show sends in regards to the critical categories and how those messages are functioning within the show itself and in the culture overall.

This assignment will be completed in four stages:

Submit a typed thesis statement and be prepared to discuss the thesis in your individual conference with me during week 9-10. In your thesis statement, you should identify the show you chose to analyze (refer to page 2 for a list of shows to choose from), the critical category (or categories) you will examine for the show and a claim you will argue in your paper.
Compose a working draft and conduct a peer review (review completed in class)
A final draft of the essay

All stages must be completed to receive full credit for the assignment.

Some critical questions to ask as you analyze the show:

Are the depictions of the critical categories realistic or stereotypical? How?
Are these depictions harmful? Useful? How? Why?
Are images, ideas, and language in society being shaped or affirmed by the depictions you see on TV? How? Give examples.
Do you see any mixed messages being presented? If so, explain.
Why might the producers/writers/studios/etc. want to present the characters and situations the way they do?

Choosing a Show for Analysis

Refer to the list below for shows you may analyze. The shows have been chosen to aid you in an analysis. Although other shows are certainly worthy of analysis, this assignment is intended to look at how television influences language and culture and these specific choices will help you do that more effectively.

Links to viewing the episodes free on the internet are included here but you may use DVDs or other media if you have access to them.

Desperate Housewives “Pilot” (Season 1. Episode 1)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/85647/desperate-housewives-pilot

Star Trek “The Cloud Minders” (The Original Series. Season 3. Episode 76)

http://www.startrek.com/watch_episode/kzLiVJLYXf82

Also available to check out from the Ames Public Library

Gray’s Anatomy Season 8 premier “Free Falling” and “She is gone”(Season 8 Episode 1&2)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/280279/greys-anatomy-free-falling

http://www.hulu.com/watch/281385/greys-anatomy-shes-gone

You have to register a free trial on hulu to view the two episodes.

House: House vs. God (season 2, Episode 19)

http://www.cucirca.com/2009/01/27/house-season-2-episode-19-house-vs-god/

Also available to check out from the Ames Public Library or from Netflix (register for a free trial membership and you can rent the DVD)

Firefly “Heart of Gold”

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4548/firefly-heart-of-gold

Also available to check out from the Ames Public Library

Evaluation Criteria

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed on this assignment sheet, your essay should:

Context

Include information on intended audience, characters, and premise of the show
Contain a strong thesis focused on an analysis of the TV show and the critical category
Contain a logical conclusion about the depictions of the critical category based on your analysis

Substance

Contain specific, detailed descriptions of the characters and situations that are relevant to your analysis
Contain connections between the descriptions and the critical category, which comprise an interesting and relevant analysis

Organization

Be organized into appropriate paragraphs
Follow a logical order that includes your descriptions, analyses, and conclusions
Use transition words and phrases to effectively communicate your ideas

Style