Rhetorical Analysis Introduction:
What if I told you one of the most popular feminist icons and commonplaces was in fact created by men as a way to manipulate women to do their bidding? Ironic, I know. However, this is the history behind the famous Westinghouse “We Can Do It!” poster and Rosie the Riveter figurehead that circulated in the United States during World War II. The war created a higher demand for products such as ammunition, weaponry, uniforms, helmets, and much more. This higher demand of manufactured goods then led to a higher demand of workers, however there was one problem. Most of the able-bodied men who would typically take on these jobs were busy fighting the enemy overseas. Quite frankly, there was nobody left in the United States to work besides the women. The original artist and manufacturing executives who later spread the poster had a great understanding of the rhetorical situation. The poster uses pathetic appeals of the patriotism found within their audience to make them feel like a part of the war effort, utilizes bright and inspiring visual rhetoric to entice the viewer, and plays on the kairotic opportunity of the current rise of feminism within the United States.
Brief Speech Outline:
- Attention grabbing first line (Same question as in the intro paragraph)
- Identify my civic artifact (“We Can Do It!” poster)
- Introduce rhetorical situation (World War II, female audience, need for more workers)
- Discuss use of pathetic appeals (makes women feel like a part of the war effort, helping the United States win the war, patriotism)
- Discuss visual rhetoric and style (bright yellow colors, masculine representation of a female worker, use of the word “we”)
- Discuss kairotic opportunity of the rising feminist movement (women already looking to prove they can handle more than just domestic roles, trying to enter the workforce)
- Brief conclusion and afterthought of how this can be considered “performative activism” and how that is increasingly popular today
I think your thesis does a great job of introducing all of your major points which makes the rest of the essay even more clear to the reader. The leading question was also a great attention grabber, especially for this class. My only suggestion is to also introduce your second artifact here at least a little bit.
Your speech outline seems very similar to your essay thesis, which is a good thing. I believe it will work out very well.
Just as your elevator pitch was good, this introduction seems to be a solid “way in” to your essay. Starting off with a question then challenging a notion that most people assume to be true about the poster is an effective was to start off your argument. Your thesis is also super well done, I like how you incorporated the visual rhetoric as well. The speech outline suggests that you have a well thought out plan for that as well, I think the arrangement looks really good.
I really liked the way your started your intro with a question and then elaborated on it as the paragraph progressed. I think that making the audience consider new ideas that will be present in you r speech right away is a great introductory strategy. As for your speech outline, it is very clear that you know what you want to do with it and you have a great plan set up, so your speech will turn out great!