Week 2, Class 2

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Week 2, Class 2
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Kristof War Wisdom

• lets examine the rhetorical situation see
  rhetorical situation handout context, audience,
  purpose, subject.
• Lets begin with context

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• What is the context what was going on as
  Kristof wrote, and how does this shape his
  argument? How does our current context shape our
  interpretation?

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The power of context
Students used to salute the flag when reciting
the pledge of allegiance.This changed after WWII.
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Genre

• This image lacks genre, and thus its purpose,
  context and intended audience are hard to discern

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GENRE

• Genre tells you a lot about a text its intended
  audience, who the writer is, the context, purpose
  etc.
• It supplies much of the information needed to
  interpret this image.

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What is the genre of the Kristof text?

• WHAT IS AN OP-ED? Usually placed on the page
  opposite the editorial page. Similar to an
  editorial, but represents the opinion of an
  individual contributor, guest or columnist.
• Newspapers often publish editorial pieces that
  are in line with their editorial slants, though
  dissenting opinions are often given space to
  promote balance and discussion.
• WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL? The editorial page
  expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial
  board, or publisher of a newspaper. Usually no
  author name given it represents the views of
  the paper/publisher. Sometimes called letter
  from the editor, and placed next to letters to
  the editor section. The page often also contains
  editorial cartoons.http//www.time.com/time/carto
  onsoftheweek?pkwPSTMGLTX052307CNND1081googleyes
  
• An average editorial is 750 words or fewer, and
  is argument-focused. They are intended to
  persuade both popular audiences and elite
  audiences in government and business.

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• KEY Op-Ed sources New York Times, Wall Street
  Journal, Washington Post, L.A. Times, Chicago
  Tribune.
• Op-eds and op-ed columnists play an important
  role in debate about politics and public policy.
  Bloggers often respond to them, they shape debate
  on TV news shows, and many op-ed columnists also
  appear on tv news (and blog themselves).
• EXAMPLE http//www.dailyoped.com/ Displays 100
  major newspaper Op/Eds great window onto the
  debates and key issues discussed by educated
  people around the country. Also,
  http//caglepost.com/.

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• What is Kristofs argument?
• Main claims?
• Evidence and reasons?
• What strategies do you see? What use of pathos,
  ethos and logos?
• Lets try charting the first 5 paragraphs