AP Lang

CIA #1
Rhetorical Analysis in Documentary Film
The analysis chart that we do with An Inconvenient Truth will prepare us for writing our
first rhetorical analysis on a documentary film of your choice.
In this paper, you will analyze the rhetoric of a documentary film, specifically its purpose,
audience, persuasive appeals, and its effectiveness. Essentially, you are analyzing the
argument that the filmmaker makes, how he or she develops it, and the extent to which
he or she is successful in achieving the purpose. A major part of your grade on this essay
(content and development) will be your understanding of how the filmmaker presents his
or her case: e.g., through statistics, expert testimony, personal experience, humor,
archival footage, sound track.
Choose one film to view & examine collaboratively in preparation for writing papers
individually. I would advise you to use the analysis questions as a guide in your analysis.
In addition to the rhetorical analysis, you will have to research the film: reviews,
background information, interviews with directors. Feel free to even watch the directors
cut on the DVD. Below are the choices. I am not providing you with these documentaries.
It is your responsibility to find it. However, if you have Netflix, Id choose Supersize Me.
Choices are:
Super Size Me (Netflix)
Born into Brothels
The Boys of Baraka
Jesus Camp
Just for Kicks
Ghosts of Rwanda
The Laramie Project (a documentary-style film)
Bowling for Columbine

Rough draft due VIA e-mail (googledocs) to csoring@ccs.us by 11:59 pm on Tuesday

Sept. 13
Final copy due VIA e-mail (googledocs) to csoring@ccs.us by 11:59 pm on Monday Sept.
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