In this class, we have discussed rhetorical appeals (specifically pathos, ethos, and logos). Learning to recognize these appeals will not only help you become more aware of the way rhetoric influences you in your daily life, but it will also help you become a better persuasive writer. Rhetorical appeals are present in all forms of media, including song and theater, so this week you will use your response paper to craft a miniature rhetorical analysis of Hamilton.
Read the lyrics for “Cabinet Battle #1Links to an external site.” and “Cabinet Battle #2Links to an external site.” provided on Canvas.
- Listen to both songs (available on multiple streaming services. If you have issues finding them, please let me know).
- If you want, watch the performance of both songs in the movie version of the musical available on Disney+. Timestamps for that version are below. This is optional and will not impact your score on the paper, but it might help you learn more about how the appeals work in different mediums.
- Battle 1- 1:20:39-1:23:09
- Battle 2- 1:40:05-1:41:57
- Pick one of the songs and craft a brief (1-2 pages, double-spaced) rhetorical analysis of your chosen song. Include examples of each of the three main appeals in your analysis.
Things to consider:
- How does the impact of the appeals change (or not change) from medium to medium? How was reading it different than listening to it? What changed if/when you watched it?
- What examples of ethos, pathos, and logos stand out the most? Why?
- How does the audience come into play? Think about both the musical’s audience and the battle’s supposed audience.
- How does the strategy for each side relate or apply to the five canons of rhetorical composition we have discussed in class this week?