Rhetorical Analysis Essay Draft (Intro + Body Outline):

How patriotic are we? Well, this is a very broad question open to many different interpretations from varying ideologies. Do we measure how patriotic we are by how much we vote? Patriotism in itself can mean inherently different things to different people. One way patriotism finds itself sandwiched in our society is through the display of “I Voted” stickers on Election Days. These subtle emblems carry much more than a simple two-word message, they represent the underlying commonplaces behind voting and opportunity for the civic to engage with their communities. However, in analyzing the visual rhetoric of these stickers, it is thought-provoking to wonder if they need to reflect a patriotic nature. One may imagine patriotism in America as being the classic “red, white, and blue” and largely displaying the American flag. While many “I Voted” stickers follow this classic format, there has also been a trend as of late to shy away from these more traditional designs. Hudson Rowan, a 14-year old from Ulster County, New York, recently won an “I Voted” sticker in his county by drawing a multi-colored spider humanoid with “I Voted” being drawn almost cryptically in big red letters next to it. Compare the stark differences between each sticker. One seems to follow the more traditionally patriotic route, while the other is extremely abstract and eye-opening. Do abstract designs hinder the possible coercion of the stickers to get others out to vote? This analysis will examine not only the visual rhetoric differences behind each sticker design, but how the rhetorical situation, commonplaces, representation, and pathos are affected by these starkly different iterations of the same overarching message.

Body:

*Each of these lenses can be combined in some sense; outline is to examine which are being identified before they are related or blended together in essay.

Visual Rhetoric Differences – Examine and clearly identified the differences in design between the more traditional design and Hudson’s. How might the design affect the rhetoric behind getting out the vote?

Rhetorical Situation – Although the designs are so different, do they both contribute to achieving the same goals in getting out the vote?

Commonplaces – Is the commonplace behind voting and getting out the vote different because of either design? What does it say about voting if we were to pass out abstract variations of the “I Voted” stickers. Do the abstract designs create a less serious tone toward voting?

Representation – Analyze the groups targeted by each design. The traditional design looks more tailored to the “traditional, lifelong American voter.” The abstract design looks like something that could be worn by kids since, after all, it was designed by a kid. Do the different designs frame the civic as a whole differently?

Pathos – How do the different designs apply to emotions in different ways. Would one sticker more likely coerce citizens to get out and vote? If you were to see both in public, how might your perspective on voting be different? Look at the potentially different appeals made by each design.

Conclusion:

Restate comparative thesis and quickly re-examine each point made in the body paragraph. Generalize the comparisons made between each design and how they might affect the commonplace of voting as a whole.

Speech Outline:

Intro –

Every November, you see it. You know exactly what it is because you see it everywhere. Proud photos are plastered across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram displaying it. Heck, you even walk past someone at the grocery store wearing it. I go to my grandma’s house and she has it brightly displayed on the top of her shirt. Everyone that showcases this artifact seems to do it with undeniable pride, and that artifact is simply the “I Voted” sticker. Now you might be asking, why is it necessary to analyze the rhetoric underlying what is nothing more than a sticker? The “I Voted” stickers are much more than a sticker and represent an individual’s ability to put themselves out there through an engagement with their community. Voting can be a scary thing for many people; so many candidates cluttering the ballot can make it inherently overwhelming. Statistics in the United States show that American participation in elections dwindles in comparison to other developed countries. When voting is the best way in our representative democracy to let your voice be heard, why do many not want to participate? This question might never have an answer. But, this analysis will look deeper on the effects of voting in our culture through the most apparent indicator of one’s level of civic engagement, the “I Voted” sticker. 

Body –

Analyzing the commonplace behind voting and the association of the stickers to voting itself. Do the stickers coerce other people into voting? Does displaying the sticker make most people feel proud about performing this civic duty? Why do we even need stickers to confirm we voted at all?

Applying analysis of the visual rhetoric of “I Voted” stickers. Should every sticker have an American flag on it or be red, white, and blue? Does the fact that the stickers use the identifier “I” make it an ethos argument? Why not just say “vote” or something similar? Do we inherently believe these stickers are “patriotic” in their display? Should the designs be abstract or traditional?

Establishing the Rhetorical Situation. Why are “I Voted” stickers found at every polling place? Why do celebrities and other notable figures proudly display their stickers on social media on Election Days? What rhetoric is seemingly established when many put great emphasis on displaying these emblems in public?

Conclusion –

Make connections back to the lenses I analyzed “I Voted” stickers through and how they have a subtle impact on society. Restate general thesis and briefly cover each point emphasized in the body paragraph.