Create a researched analysis of an issue related to digital rhetoric. Throughout our readings, we have encountered many rhetorical trends that impact how we communicate, compose, and live today. This project challenges you to connect the ideas and concepts from our readings to contemporary issues you encounter in our current digitally-focused world.
This project asks you to demonstrate and apply your knowledge of one or more of the concepts we have studied in our course to help us better understand a contemporary issue or phenomenon related to digital communication. That is, you will do a rhetorical analysis of a current issue, topic, concern, etc. using one of the theories we have studied as a lens for your analysis. For example, you might analyze how Burke’s theory of terministic screens relates to how we use social media platforms such as Instagram. Or, you might apply Messaris’s theory of visual rhetoric to analyze the data visualizations that have been created to communicate information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
As you get started, it may be helpful to consider Eyman’s two approaches to digital rhetoric:
– developing new theories specifically for digital communication, and
– applying or adapting existing theory to digital communication
Which approach will you take to conduct your analysis?
All papers must be 5-7 pages in length, not including the title or references pages, and will need to cite at least four sources. Two of the sources you use must be scholarly (course readings are acceptable, but you should also plan to do some research of your own on your issue or topic).
