For the final project in the course, you will construct a multi-layered multi-modal advocacy or advertisement video argument about your focal topic. Your project will consist of one extensive argument or a series of less extensive but still closely related arguments, targeted for a specific audience and purpose. To accomplish this, I ask that your video explicitly advocate for something: that is, your video will not just inform your audience about a particular issue/event arising from your focal topic, but will move them to take action, like joining an organization, voting, volunteering, or changing behavior (think recycling, or quitting smoking, adopting a shelter pet). The final video should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length.
Your video must show evidence of extensive research and familiarity with the topic, rhetorical awareness of the affordances and limitations of different modalities, rhetorical concepts taught throughout the class, and design principles. Your project must include:
- alphabetic texts
- visual images
- video with motion
- audio (music, sound effects, or voice)
- principles of effective rhetoric and design for the particular argument(s) you’re making
You’ll begin by creating a proposal for your project. You’ll then develop a storyboard, which we will conference on in small peer response groups. You will also have the chance to create a video draft before you present your final video to the class. Your final video will be accompanied by a reflective rhetorical rationale (1250-1500 words) in which you explain your process and analyze your rhetorical choices. Additionally, your reflective analysis will include a circulation plan for your video, addressing how you might attract attention for your project and cause. Although I will not require you to share your project in public, online venues like YouTube or Facebook, I encourage you to do so.
English 213 