Rhetorical Analysis of Project 3

In this blog post I will be focusing on the rhetorical situation for project 3. I will be discussing my topic in depth and analyzing the rhetorical situation and context that I will need to understand in order to begin producing my project.

Author:

1. How will you draw on any or some of the following for Project 3? Be specific about how your plans for Project 3 connect to some previous, current or burgeoning interest of your own

• your own general research interests

• I have always been interested in the issue of homelessness. I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city that has one of the largest homeless populations in the U.S. Growing up in an environment where this epidemic is so prevalent has made me very sensitive to the opinions of others on the topic.

• other subjects of interest you have encountered here or elsewhere in your recent studies.

• I, personally, have never felt real oppression or dealt with not having a roof over my head but in my academic studies, as I learn more about the world, I have become increasingly interested in issues of equality and equal opportunity. I want to do my project on the Homeless community and base my argument on the opportunities that the homeless population is not able to have.

• current-day social, cultural or political issues that you follow and are interested in.

• I've argued with people about this before actually, I believe that it is a prevalent argument in real life as when driving around it's hard not to see a homeless person.

       2.     What are the preconceptions, previously held opinions and/or potential areas for

               personal bias that you should be aware of for Project 3? What about any of the

               following?:

Your family of origin, and the spoken or unspoken set(s) of “family values” that come with belonging to that family.

• Treat others as you want to be treated. The golden rule (no direct bias)

The social class of yourself/your family (consider honestly your family’s level of access to wealth, real estate, travel, leisure, luxury items, etc.).

• Upper Middle Class, no personal relationship to homelessness (no direct bias)

The location/geography where you were raised, and whatever local norms, customs, attitudes, traditions, and/or prejudices come with belonging or not belonging.

• Albuquerque, NM top 100 Homeless cities (influence but not bias)

Audience:

How are you thinking about your audience for this project? Who are you going to make this for? 

• My audience for this will be non-homeless adults. I believe my audience will be Americans, as I plan to write about homelessness in the US, who have an interest in the idea. I want my argument to be informational and swaying and I want it to be created for people who have enough knowledge both from my project and from their own lives, to think critically.

What beliefs and assumptions might this audience already hold? What position are they likely to take on this issue? How will you respond to that position?

• I chose this topic because in the past I've had arguments with people about this issue so I know that the majority of people believe that homelessness is a choice that people make. A choice to not go to school, to quit their job, to be overzealous with their money, whatever it may be people think homeless people are lazy and pathetic.

How might they react to your argument?

• My Argument may be shocking and I knew people will disagree but I think it will be influential and, at the least, educational.

How are you going to relate to or connect with your audience? Are there any specific words, ideas or ways of arguing that will help you relate to them in this way?

• Relating it to real life. Seeing panhandlers on the street, real life experience.

Think of one specific person or a set of people you know personally or professionally who fall within the definition of ‘target audience’ you’re using for Project 3. What could you tell them or say to them in order to convince them of your perspective? What would need to happen for them to agree with you?

• My mom. She has always been interested in the homeless epidemic in NM. She is educated and informed and in order to get through to my mother she needs facts. She does not just believe what she is told, she's too smart for that. I need evidence or statistics in order to convince my momma.

Purpose/Message:

What do you want to accomplish with Project 3? What affect do you want it to have on your intended audience?

• I want to change peoples minds about drug use in the homeless community. I want to create an argument that is persuasive and effective and will, at the least, make people rethink their previous beliefs.

Once you’ve done all your research and figured out what you think about the controversy you’ve chosen, what still needs to be accomplished?

• Production and figuring out how to edit/shoot/create video footage. I need to talk to classmates about how they are or have created video essays and what the used to make it.

Context: 

What are the particular circumstances surrounding this assignment? 

• I'm not entirely sure what this means but I will be focusing on homelessness in the US as a whole. I think I will include information about the most impoverished states as well. The who will be homeless people, both addicts and non-addicts. I will also be using a conversation I had with a homeless man last year as evidence. I will be needing to draw on a lot of footage that others have shot for my video essay as having me spew an argument is not interesting.

Genre:

What course genre will you be writing in for Project 3?

• Podcast

What kinds of audience expectations come along with this genre, generally?

• The audience is generally young and tech savvy to a degree. Often on the go/busy. Like to multitask while getting their news and choose to listen instead of read in order to gain info quickly.

What is your history working in the genre you have selected for Project 3?

• No history at all... I'm actually VERY nervous about this genre

Describe your comfort level and general feelings about the genre. How will they affect your work on Project 3?

• I amVERY uncomfortable with the genre but it may be good because I know how much time I need to poor into this now and I will be giving it a lot of attention.

What are the two most effective conventions in this genre, in your opinion? Why? Be specific

1. The ability to show inflection through the human voice, very important when arguing. Inflection can make the passion and anger and feelings of an argument very obvious and very real for the listener. 
2. The ability to incorporate music to affect the mood. When arguing you do not want your mood to be misconstrued and using music is a very effective way to pull at the heart strings without seeming bitchy or over-the-top.

When:

Are there any historical events that might impact how your audience perceives your argument or the kind of background information or evidence you need to include? For instance, does media reporting on any of the following involve your issue/subject for Project 3?

• I have read a few articles lately about rising homeless populations but, at this point, I don't think there are any real historical events that I will need to pull from.

Who else is talking about this topic? Provide us with working hyperlinks to coverage of the controversy on FOUR different media outlets.

1. https://www.rt.com/usa/335891-homeless-sue-los-angeles/
2. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-homelessness-idUSKCN0T908720151120
3. http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2016/03/16/unsafe-haven--drug-use-rampant-at-city-homeless-shelters.html
4. http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/300328-178064-governor-shocked-by-number-of-homeless-campers-in-portland

What are the three or four major counter-arguments you’ll have to respond to, based upon what people are saying in the press/media? Be specific and cite your sources using working hyperlinks.

1. One counter argument to my stand is that drug use in the homeless community is not a big deal or an issue that needs to be addressed, after all they're poor and wouldn't spend all of their money on drugs, right? http://cjonline.com/news/2016-04-02/sex-hope-and-prosecution-agencies-fight-sex-trafficking-shawnee-county
2. They choose to continue doing drugs, after being on the street they don't have to keep doing them. People treat homeless people as less than human. They seem to forget their compassion and instead look down on the homeless community as a plague. People forget that addiction, as it happens to people in any socioeconomic tier, is hard and cannot just simply be fixed. http://alcohol.addictionblog.org/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-and-the-homeless/
3. Homeless shelters are a place of refuge, a home. This is not true. Many homeless american's sleep on the street to avoid drug culture in the shelters. http://www.businessinsider.com/sleepingin-a-homeless-shelter-2012-1