Short Paper 2

Pathetic Proof

Choose a "text" that is somehow connected to the main issue you plan to address throughout this semester. You may choose print advertisement or a particular TV show or movie; maybe you'll choose an excerpt from a book or a magazine article. Whatever you choose, you will be spending the next two weeks looking at this thing carefully and trying to figure out how pathos plays a persuasive part in this particular text.

Think of the various ways we've talked about pathos in class, as well as the examples we've looked at. Write 2-3 pages analyzing how your text uses pathos for persuasive appeal.

The following words/phrases will be very helpful to you:

• "The writer uses _________ to make readers feel _____________. However, readers who believe ______________ may respond by to such language/images by feeling __________."
• "Perhaps the writer intends the audience to think/feel/believe/act ___________ by arousing the emotion of __________."

My point is that you don't have to have the definitive word on what the intentions of the text are; you can suggest various possibilities that the might be working (at the same time) in the text.

Guidelines

This project should be typed or word-processed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced.

Due Dates

The finished draft is due on October 14.

In order to get credit for doing these short papers, you must show up to class with your finished drafts on the assigned days and you must be prepared to discuss your work with the class. Not doing so jeopardizes a large percentage of your course grade.