OK, so an expansive reading, and this does give me a better idea of what to do with our current assignment...but it also leaves me with specific questions in regards to the project (since I had the assignment in mind as I read this piece)..not to mention some parts of the reading reminded me of other readings as well. Anyway, questions I was left with:
1. The difference between formal and informal argument is very clear...so how much of each would be an allowable amount for our project? Where in this project should I use a formal argumentative structure, and when should I use informal? It differs from project to project, that's why I'm asking. NOTE: My chosen media will be a web comic (argument is still being determined)
2. In my chosen form of media, how would I address an opposing argument in a way that makes my comic a clearly persuasive one? Since the reading states that all arguments must address the counter, I need to be able to express both sides, while effectively supporting one and opposing the other with evidence, all within a juxtaposed, still set of pictures.
3. The reading talks about how I have to show modesty to my target audience no matter how strong my position is, lest I risk alienating them. Since I plan on making a humorous comic (that's just how I roll), how do I show this modesty in my argument, while also keeping a humorous AND an argumentative side? In other words, where should I draw the line with a web comic? It seems like with many of them, nothing is sacred, but I don't want to go too far. Then again, my target audience will be people who are interested in web comics, and probably used to reading them--they may already be desensitized to some degree, so perhaps I don't have to show as much restraint as with other forms of digital media.
4. I'm taking into consideration, also, the fact that my drawings will be reduced to stick figures...meaning the message itself will be the primary focus of the comic, since the audience certainly won't be concentrating the poorly-drawn characters themselves. How does this change my rhetorical situation? Will it make the audience more sensitive to what the characters actually say? Perhaps I SHOULD use more restraint in my message, if so. As the reading states, it is MY responsibility to make sure I respect my audience...I have to be very, very careful (while still having fun with it).
5. One of the big portions of the reading, the testing phase, also bothers me...I hang out with two main groups of people...and the one I have most access to and am closest to, would not make god test subjects for my comic once it's done. My target audience is people in the classroom who love web comics...this particular group of people I have a hard tie reaching out to. Is it safer to go outside my comfort zone and test this product on them? Should I test them on my closer group of friends? Or should I even do both to make sure I know what audience I'm truly appealing to?
I know this isn't exactly a deep analysis of the reading itself..but reading it opened up a lot of subjects for me that until now, I didn't even consider, and it has made me more wary of the assignment and what everyone's expectations are. Will I even know what I'm doing? This reading makes me feel like I'm out of my league...I can't put my finger on why. Is this good or bad? I suppose things will become clearer once I actually come up with an argument...I was considering something about a comic making fun of comics...something mild enough that the argument won't sting, but interesting enough to catch the audience's attention...that way, both in media and in argument I will be staying within the topic of digital media. Is this a good idea? I could use some pointers here, if anyone has some. I don't know if I should stick wit this, or else make a stronger argument...
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