A How to Guide Via Stasis Theory/Heuristic Questions A quick guide to Neo-Aristotleian Rhetorical Analysis
Transcript
1. A How to Guide Via Stasis Theory/Heuristic Questions
2. You need to first establish the context for your rhetorical
artifact. To do so consider the following questions: In what
historical moment did the artifact come into being? In terms of
sociology and psychology, whats in play in the artifact? What form
does the artifact take, and what conventions of the form are obeyed
or flouted? Who is the person(s) behind this piece? Key Question:
Who is the audience, and why does the rhetor choose this audience
to convey her or his message?
3. How are ethos, logos, and pathos used? What types of
evidence are used for what reason (kairos)? Key Question: What
seems to be the larger, overall message of the rhetor?
4. What is emphasized and how is it emphasized in terms of the
structure of the artifact? Key Question: Is the artifact set up to
be experienced in a certain way (i.e. through comparison, division,
etc.)?
5. If there is text, how is the text written? In a formal,
informal, or some other tone/style? If the text has visual
elements, what visual elements are there and how do they contribute
to the rhetors message? Key Question: How might you describe the
overall feel/style of the artifact?
6. If there are people in the piece, how are they moving,
acting, using space? If the artifact is digital, how is the piece
set up to be received by folks? Key Question: If you are dealing
with digital media, how is the audience supposed to interact with
the artifact?
7. What role, if any, does human memory play in your artifact?
(Remember that actors memorize lines, slam poets their poems, and
many online speakers parts of their speeches.) Key Question: How
memorable is the piece, and why is it, or isnt it, a memorable
rhetorical artifact?
8. How do the canons of rhetoric (and the attendant questions
we just answered) help you establish that the rhetorical artifact
was/is effective at helping your rhetor reach a given audience? THE
POINT IS NOT TO SAY IF SOMETHING IS GOOD OR BAD AESTHETICALLY OR
OTHERWISE YOU NEED TO SAY HOW AND WHY THE RHETORIC WORKS OR DOESNT
WORK.
9. Foss, Sonja, K. Rhetorical Criticism. Long Grove, Il:
Waveland Press, 2004. Print.