Purpose: In completing the reading, writing, and viewing assignments up to this point, you have been working towards the Student Learning Outcome of arguing a point and supporting it (in writing) using extensive evidence from outside sources. You will demonstrate this SLO by composing an essay in response to viewing the documentary short film Knife Skills (Links to an external site.)(2017).
Watch this video on The Scene. (Links to an external site.)
Task and Guidelines: For this midterm, you will write a minimum 750-word (about 2.5 pages) essay response in which you will summarize, analyze, synthesize, and respond to the film:
Summarize
Explain the rhetorical situation of the film. For the text summary, make sure to include the author (Thomas Lennon) and the texts genre. Who is the audience? Name specific groupseveryone is not a satisfactory response. What are the messages, themes, and issues presented, and what is the thesis (main idea)?
Analyze
Identify the authors purpose (to inform, to entertain, to persuade?oftentimes there is more than one purpose)? What details and events (support) does the author use to fulfill this purpose?
Identify and analyze the rhetorical devices for film (use the list on the previous page) and means of persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos) used to inform, entertain, or persuade the audience.
NOTE: Instead of simply stating that the author appeals to emotions, state what effect is created by using emotional appeals. By doing this you are not only identifying the rhetorical means of persuasion but also analyzing its purpose.
Synthesize
How does the film Knife Skills compare and/or contrast to the issues or themes presented in the texts we have read so far this semester (any of the assigned essays in Unit One or Two)?
Respond
In your conclusion, answer the following: What are some of the calls to action or suggestions to help fix the problem(s)? What is the so what of this film? Why should the audience care?
