English 111 Essay #3

Public Discourse Analysis

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Important Dates

Monday, October 10—hand out guidelines; prewriting in class

Friday, October 21—three examples of public discourse due

Wednesday, October 26—rough draft due (bring two copies—peer review workshop)

Friday, October 28—final draft due

Prompt

For your third essay, you will be asked to analyze various forms of public discourse that deal with an issue of public concern. Begin by identifying a current issue that interests you, then collect three examples of discourse about that issue. These examples can include print advertisements, pamphlets, web sites, music, billboards, or anything that is intended to have an effect on the general public. Your analysis of public discourse should make clear that you understand:      

1.      various genres of public discourse;

2.      the interrelationship of words and images in public discourse; and

3.      the power of public discourse to shape public opinion, political decision-making, and cultural values.

Ultimately, your analysis will be guided by the question: what is this public discourse trying to do and how is it trying to do it? In this essay, you’ll need to study the discourse you’ve selected in order to come to some conclusion about it. This conclusion will serve as your thesis, which must be supported with evidence from your analysis.

Criteria

• The essay should be four-to-five pages long, typed, and double-spaced;
• Your writing should possess a well-constructed, specific, and complex thesis statement. Your thesis should be developed based on investigation, not on pre-determined opinion, and it should convince skeptical readers;;
• You need three different forms of public discourse;
• Your paper should analyze the intended audiences for each form of discourse;

• You should also identify differing sources of authority (ethos, pathos, logos);
• You should make clear the argument each example of discourse is making;
• Please use proper MLA documentation style;
• Make certain your paper contains strong transitions, effective organization, and clear style;
• Your paper should also reflect strong grammatical and punctuation skills;
• The peer review workshop will be on Wednesday, October 26. You must bring a copy of your draft (at least two typed pages) and your three pieces of public discourse on this day for peer review. Not bringing a draft to class will result in a grade deduction on your paper; and
• All stages of your writing process (prewriting, rough drafts, peer review questions, examples of public discourse, and two copies of your final draft) will be turned in on Friday, October 28.

Parting Words

The best advice I can give you is to begin thinking early about the topic you wish to write about and think of creative places to find examples of public discourse. In many cases, finding the discourse will mean actually going out into the community to find examples. Therefore, leave yourself enough time to do so. Let me know if you are having difficulty deciding on an issue or finding your texts. I will be happy to help out. Happy writing! J