ANALYZING THE RHETORICAL SITUATION

1. Object/ad. The Surfrider Foundation ad originally appeared in Rolling Stone magazine. What argument is conveyed through the ad? How is the ad geared toward Rolling Stone’s readers? Would this ad resonate as much with the audience of, say, Reader’s Digest? Why or why not?

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2. Object/ad. How does Surfrider’s choice of image(s) for the ad appeal to your sense of pathos? Which part of the image captures your attention most, and why?

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3. Ad. The Oceana ad features a dolphin and refers to Flipper, the iconic dolphin who befriends a young boy in the classic 1963 film Flipper. Why do you think the editors and designers at Oceana chose this reference? And is it an appeal to ethos, logos, or pathos?

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4. Object/ad & ad. Both the Surfrider and Oceana ads have striking images. Which image captures your attention more, and why?

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5. Brochure. What is the central purpose of the Casella Resource Solutions brochure? Is it to tell a story, convey information, and/or persuade? How do the design and organization clarify the dos and don’ts of recycling? How does it explain the process of “zero-sort” recycling? Are there ways the designers might improve the brochure to make it clearer? If so, how?

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6. Comic & pie chart. The EPA designs materials for a wide-ranging audience. Why might the editors and designers at the EPA have chosen to create a comic to inform and persuade a young audience about recycling? Consider the pie chart. To what extent is this an effective way to convey information about annual waste?

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COMPOSING IN GENRES

7. Create a visual ad. Identify a cause that you believe in (environmental conservation, ending poverty, etc.) and an organization that deals with the issue. Visit the organization’s Web site to gather information that you will use as the basis for a visual advertisement. Following Surfrider’s lead, create an ad that consists of a single striking image.

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8. Write an advice column. Visit Surfrider online and research their various campaigns for the environment. Using the information you’ve gathered from the site, write an advice column for your local newspaper about the value of protecting water and wildlife.

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9. Create a comic book on the history of the EPA. Visit the “EPA History” page and read about the agency’s origins in the 1970s. What events sparked public concern about pollution and safety? Then create a comic in which you tell that history—your comic should inform, but also persuade.

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10. Create a list of ten steps toward zero waste. Research your town or city’s curbside recycling program. Research programs of cities that are working toward a zero-waste policy, such as San Francisco. How does your town’s program compare? What are some steps that your town could take toward zero waste?

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11. Compose an analysis of the ethos of two nonprofits. The Surfrider Foundation and Oceana are both dedicated to preserving the world’s oceans, but their approaches, missions, and structures are quite different. Visit the Web sites for Surfrider and Oceana. How do the organizations present themselves? How does each attempt to appeal to its readers?

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