Rhetorical strategies in essays about war and violence

We’ve watched Pinker’s TED Talk on violence in human history. We’ve read a few selections on war and its causes. Each of the authors of these pieces argue that war and violence in our world has various origins, consequences, and meanings. Considering that war and violence have been an issue since the earliest points of human civilization, it is somewhat surprising that debate involving these topics still exists. Yet it does! We still argue about why people fight and what it means when people fight. Because violence and war are such volatile and inflammatory topics that often force us to question fundamental ideas of what it means to be human, to be a “good” or “moral” person, and to be a “good” or “patriotic” citizen, writers that examine war and violence have to craft their arguments carefully. Many readers have hardened biases and beliefs regarding these subjects and will not be easily persuaded to take new points of view on these topics. Therefore, authors need to be extra convincing in whatever position they want readers to take. In order to accomplish this form of persuasive writing, they employ various rhetorical strategies and devices. The questions we need to ask are: What rhetorical strategies/devices do authors writing about war and violence employ? How do these strategies/devices work in the essays where they’re used? Which seem to work best to inspire readers like you to examine or even change their assumptions about how violence, war, or basic human nature impacts our lives and our world? Your task is to compose an essay in which you answer these questions by analyzing and evaluating the rhetorical strategies that the writers of selected essays use to support their arguments. As you write, you should assume an audience who has not read these essays (or at least not recently), so you will need to briefly summarize their main ideas before you explain the particular strategies that each writer uses. Assume, too, that your reader has not had the practice in rhetorical analysis that you have. Be sure to explain or define any rhetorical concepts that you are using (ethos, pathos, logos, etc.) and provide examples from the essay to illustrate them. Ultimately, you should use your analysis to support your own argument about which rhetorical strategies you believe were most prevalent and most effective in the essay you choose to analyze. Additional Information The essays you can choose for analysis include (at least, up to 3): The_Rise_of_Political_Violence.pdf “”Links to an external site.by RACHEL KLEINFELD Links to an external site. How War Shapes Our Attitudes About Violence – Jeremy Adam Smith Links to an external site.War is Not Part of Human Nature – R. Brian Ferguson Blinded by the Light Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the Age of Normalized Violence-1.pdf by Henry Giroux Links to an external site. Special Requirements In addition to the requirements outlined above: Your essay should be at least 1,000 words long, though 1500 is recommended. Your essay should follow the procedures for summary and analysis that we have practiced in class. Your essay should include at least two to three direct quotations, properly formatted according to MLA guidelines, in each body paragraph. Your essay should include a works cited entry for each source used, formatted according to MLA guidelines. One paragraph summary of each article after the introduction Organization: I: Introduction that include the titles of the pieces included, when published and where, author credentials, basic information on the topic and context, who the audiences may be and why, and ending in a clear thesis that tells your reader what question you will be answering from the options above as well as the rhetorical elements you find your authors use to either successfully, or unsuccessfully, achieve their goals to inform or persuade their audience about that topic. II: a paragraph that summarizes your sources used informative summary style (no quotes and including proper MLA style signal phrases) III: 3-5 body paragraphs that begin with a clear topic sentence linked back to your thesis, context, evidence from your text(s) in the form of either a quote (no block quotes) or clearly cited paraphrase, explanation of the evidence up to the inclusion of 2-3 bits of evidence, ending with a clear analysis and link to the overall purpose of your essay, as well as a forward facing transition. IV: conclusion where you begin with a closing transition into a clear restatement of your thesis, a summary of your most important points, and end by revisiting your hook or a call to action V: A works Cited page in MLA with all of your sources (does not count towards word count) Submission You will submit first and final drafts of this assignment directly on Canvas. Your first draft is due: February 9, by 11:59 pm Your final draft is due: February 16, by 11:59 pm Grading Criteria The final draft of Essay 1 is worth 100 points. After receiving feedback from both your Professor and peers (and maybe writing center!) you will turn in your edited and revised final draft with the final word count of 1250 words. Your grade will indicate your progress on achieving the following criteria: An accurate, objective summary of the theory/concept/definition A focused, well-developed analysis of the text being examined Clear, thoughtful organization of ideas and paragraphs Correct format and citation Appropriate, effective style and mechanics — this includes using third person perspective throughout your essay Note: you needed to have turned in all rough draft parts leading up this in order to be eligible for credit on this final version.