Extra Credit
Ok, so maybe I missed something in the brief description of the extra credit assignment. Is the assignment not to evaluate the rhetorical appeal or claims presented in a documentary of our choice? Given that this description holds true, I see no reason why we couldn't evaluate a "mocumentary" or any other media that presents sufficient claims and/or rhetorical appeal to fill two pages worth of evaluation. I honestly think that I could write two pages about the rhetorical context of the implicit arguments of political and societal sidenotes made in one episode of The Simpsons. Correct me if I'm wrong, I've only ever seen one full episode of that t.v. show.
Comments
Haha hey thats a good point. I think it would be more interesting if we could as well, but then again she probably said to watch a documentary because we would learn more than just the appeals or claims from it then we would from watching a simpsons episode and writing about the claims or appeals in it. Dont get me wrong i would way rather write about the simpsons or something alike, but have you talked to her about it because she might agree with you?
Posted by: Tony Louden | November 28, 2006 10:16 PM
Good point. I would probably rather write a two page paper on a mocumentry such as "Borat" rather than writing about something like "The March of the Penguins." I just think that we should be able to pick something that really interests us.
Posted by: Jeff Wiesner | November 29, 2006 9:51 PM
There are plenty of documentaries available, and I am sure one will strike your fancy. I am an avid documentary watcher (for some odd reason)and I have a few suggestions for you all:
1. The Aristocrats
2. Super Size Me (2004)
3. Spellbound (2002)
4. Born Into Brothels
5. Dope Sick Love
6. Fareinheit 9/11
7. Bowling For Columbine
8. An Inconvenient Truth
9. Ghosts of Rwanda
10. The Fog of War
11. Dark Days
12. Wordplay
13. Unknown White Male
14. Overnight
15. March of the Penguins
If you need more suggestions, let me know, I've seen a million of these things....... good luck all!
Posted by: Mollie Thompson | November 30, 2006 11:03 PM
I believe the entire idea for extra credit was born from a documentary because the claims are often so obvious. Most documentaries are made to be persuasive to the audience and often are a call to action. I have seen "Borat" and I cannot come up with a single claim it made, it was entertaining, but far from persuasive.
Posted by: Matt Lowrey | December 3, 2006 5:27 PM
Although The Simpsons can be quite educational at times, I don't think they make scholarly or credible arguments about politics and society.. no matter how entertaining the presentation the show gives concerning these topics. A lot of people can make a good show of 'facts' for an agrument they wish to make, but it's more important to first be a credible source and then appeal to pathos and logos. It is far more impressive and entertaining to watch a credible and tastefully done documentary because you can rely on the information presented while also enjoying it.. information is more effective when you can rely on it's crediblity and that is why I think this extra credit assignment should be focused primarily on documentaries instead of media titles of our choice.
Posted by: Gwen Ruehle | December 6, 2006 4:47 PM