
PROOF AND PERSUASION:
The Rhetoric of Scientific Integrity
FALL 2022
© 2022 by Cynthia Shearer
CYNTHIA SHEARER
419-H REED HALL
BOX 297700
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
PHONE EXT: 817.257.6593
ENGLISH 20803 - WRITING AS ARGUMENT
Section 50:MWF @ 1 p.m. in Bailey 102
Cynthia Shearer, Instructor
OFFICE HOURS: 2- 3 p.m. MW in Reed 419_H
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF AN ADVOCACY WEBSITE
Write a brief critique of your chosen advocacy website by commening on at least 3 items from each of these categories:
Some Questions to Consider:
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How do they prove the exigence of the issue?
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How do they educate the public on the issue?
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How do they use visuals or graphics to persuade? Does the overall design lend authority or weakness?
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Do they target a specific stakeholder, or include many?
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Do they express the cost of doing nothing?
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What specific actions do they call for?
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Do they identify the impediments or obstacles to what they are asking for?
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Who are the opponents to the change they seek?
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How do they identify and attract like-minded people to the cause?
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How do they keep up with evolving data or events that affect the cause?
Build a Network
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How do they bring together like-minded constituencies toward a common goal?
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How do they build support and credibility among target groups or across demographics?
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How do they raise the profile of the issue by exploiting inexpensive internet platforms?
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How do they design events to rally their group or viewer base?
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How clear are their claims, evidence, warrants, etc.?
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How do they establish and communicate with their network of constituents?
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How clearly do they express their goals?
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How do they actively fundraising for their cause, or do they amplify a larger funding effort by routing viewers to another site?
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Identify and establish relationships with policymakers, organizations, individuals At what level are they seeking to influence: policymakers, professional groups, individuals? All?
Tools for Influencing Policymakers
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Meet-ups or events scheduled?
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Testimony in hearings or town halls?
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E-mail campaigns to key officials/policymakers?
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Telephone calls?
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Personal visits?
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Position papers that are rich in neutral, non-politicized data?
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Policy briefs that share current “best practice” info? (usually in pdfs but not always)
Tools for Influencing Via Media
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Fact Sheets, FAQ’s, to educate the "layman" on the topic?
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Information Packets/Press kits available to reporters?
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Targeted, dedicated Twitter research and data stream/networked with reporters?
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Other social media networking? Appropriate to target demographics?
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Dedicated website (only one cause)?
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Amplification of like-minded messages from OTHER thought leaders on the issue: re-tweets, links to like-minded websites?
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Youtube Channel/broadcasts?
