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| Image Courtesy of HannaPritchett |
Potential Hook: Home of the Brave. Land of the Free. That's what we're known for. Or, at least that's what we like to think we're known for. But when there are people who live in perpetual fear for being who they are, does that make our bravery intimidating? Isn't the word "free" a nagging contradiction?
Potential Introduction: Since its inception, America's cultural roots have included diverse nationalities with distinct backgrounds to proliferate opportunities unparalleled by other countries. Aired in 2014 and 2017, Coca Cola's Super Bowl advertisement cogently engages the vast audience to continue the national precedent of immigrant acceptance by focusing on the dignified beauty of various cultures through framing each circumstance as a reflection of American at the core. Coca Cola achieves this through exercising muted images of distinct forms of recreation while overlaying the imagery with a powerful rendition of "America the Beautiful" sung in multiple languages.
Potential Elaboration: I plan to dissect the various cultures presented in the Coca Cola advertisement by focusing on how the diverse cultures of America are portrayed exclusively in an endearing and relatable light. This will be achieved by noting that the songs throughout is "America the beautiful," which will be the central idea that each point is meant to convey. I will begin by noticing the different languages that are sung throughout the commercial but regardless of the language the idea is patriotic devotion that is a communal value. I will emphasize that despite there being no dialogue, the commercial speaks volumes. The second point that will be made will be to focus on the diversity of both the situations presented and the individuals portrayed in each situation. Much attention will be directed at understanding why certain situations were included and patterns in the commercial will be sought.
I like your choice of an artifact being the Coca-Cola commercial, which showcases the diversity of our country. I think that you have a good hook already in place, and you'll be able to elaborate on this commercial by bringing in a variety of different issues that you mentioned in your post. I can definitely see how this commercial is still relevant in our society today, with inclusive groups and initiatives seen almost everywhere - even here at Penn State with the "All In" campaign. My only advice would be to make sure that you are talking about how this commercial calls Americans to be civic in a rhetorically compelling way. Make sure in your speech that you talk about how the commercial convinces Americans to treat others with respect and be inclusive in their daily lives.
ReplyDeleteI love this ad and the idea behind it. Do note that because it is an ad, one of its major rhetorical purposes is to encourage people to drink coke. By linking together ideas such as multiculturalism with the sugary, sticky, bubbly corn syrup, coca cola is able to capitalize on the celebration of such ideals. However, if you make the argument that this invites people to embrace multiculturalism in America, then it is a very valid civic artifact.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I am really excited to here you talk about it. I think your hook and introduction are really good. My only comment is that it may be better for you argument and for timing if instead of elaborating on the different cultures you show a brief history of the song "America the beautiful" and explain a little about the context that it was written in. Understanding a little about the song may add to the meaning behind the commercial and give your audience a better understanding of the motivations for the critiques of the advertisement.
ReplyDeleteYes, of course diversity is present in our country - yes, of course there will always be controversy, but how does this invite Americans to be civic today? I think this advertisement is very intriguing because it addresses our country as a whole, full of different ethnicities, religions, and language, yet the response of some Americans to this commercial proves that there is still faultiness in our system. I think it is important to address how this calls Americans to civic first, and then incorporate how it is also compelling in nature of the response that it gets. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMatt, I hope you received my email to assure you that this artifact would be workable for the assignment. With that established, here are just a few more thoughts:
ReplyDelete1) Thanks for fleshing out your hook and other orienting material for the introduction.
2) Jacob's comment above is good -- namely, keep the focus on how/why this ad can be seen as civic, as well as unearthing what type of civic ideologies/commonplaces are being assumed by the piece. (For our next assignment -- the essay -- you'll have plenty of opportunity to analyze the rhetorical appeals, tone, style, imagery of the piece, but if you focus on that in the speech, you'll be missing the overall goal.)
3) You might want to firm up your main points a little more. As I read your final paragraph, it was hard for me to easily grasp what your two main points would be because so many ideas were being expressed.
Good start overall! These types of tweaks/suggestions are all normal!