Exploring the Text

  1. How does the first paragraph of Daniel Harris’s essay set up the reader’s expectations? How are those expectations met? How are they upset?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: How does the first paragraph of Daniel Harris’s essay set up the reader’s expectations? How are those expectations met? How are they upset?
  2. How does Harris use examples to establish his credibility? How do his examples show his consideration of his audience?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: How does Harris use examples to establish his credibility? How do his examples show his consideration of his audience?
  3. Harris makes a few arguments here. What do you think is his primary argument? His secondary arguments? How does he bring them together?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: Harris makes a few arguments here. What do you think is his primary argument? His secondary arguments? How does he bring them together?
  4. What are some of the rhetorical strategies Harris uses to develop his argument? Find examples of strategies such as hyperbole, opposition, figurative language, and colloquialisms, and discuss their effects.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: What are some of the rhetorical strategies Harris uses to develop his argument? Find examples of strategies such as hyperbole, opposition, figurative language, and colloquialisms, and discuss their effects.
  5. Look closely at Harris’s topic sentences. What do you see as their strengths? Do you see any weaknesses? If so, identify them. How do the topic sentences set up each paragraph? What patterns can you see in the way Harris structures them?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: Look closely at Harris’s topic sentences. What do you see as their strengths? Do you see any weaknesses? If so, identify them. How do the topic sentences set up each paragraph? What patterns can you see in the way Harris structures them?
  6. How would you characterize Harris’s tone? His attitude toward his subject matter?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: How would you characterize Harris’s tone? His attitude toward his subject matter?
  7. In paragraph 7 Harris cites the Web site ://www.Rolemodel.net">Rolemodel.net, whose mission statement says that it aims to inspire “the next generation towards an outward focus,” as having named Tiger Woods an “inspirational figure.” ://www.Rolemodel.net">Rolemodel.net has now removed Tiger Woods as a role model, but not without a long explanation by its creator, Lamar Brantley. In what ways does the example of Tiger Woods still work for Harris? In what ways doesn’t it?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 7 Harris cites the Web site ://www.Rolemodel.net">Rolemodel.net, whose mission statement says that it aims to inspire “the next generation towards an outward focus,” as having named Tiger Woods an “inspirational figure.” ://www.Rolemodel.net">Rolemodel.net has now removed Tiger Woods as a role model, but not without a long explanation by its creator, Lamar Brantley. In what ways does the example of Tiger Woods still work for Harris? In what ways doesn’t it?
  8. Harris considers the way Americans relate to celebrities as being “pathological in part because they are an absent presence in our lives” (para. 12). What do you think about this paradox? Support, challenge, or qualify Harris’s assertion.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: Harris considers the way Americans relate to celebrities as being “pathological in part because they are an absent presence in our lives” (para. 12). What do you think about this paradox? Support, challenge, or qualify Harris’s assertion.
  9. What does Harris consider the effect of our fascination with celebrities on our daily lives? What point does he make about its effect on the dissemination of American culture throughout the world?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 11 - Celebrity Bodies - Exploring the Text: What does Harris consider the effect of our fascination with celebrities on our daily lives? What point does he make about its effect on the dissemination of American culture throughout the world?