An Analysis of the Rhetoric Presented in the Language of Articles after a Terrorist Attack
For my paper the artifact I have selected is articles published by Fox News that report on terrorist attacks facilitated in America. My analysis will specifically be focused on the rhetorical language that is used in articles that are published immediately after an act of terrorism occurs in the United States. By focusing specifically on these articles it will allow me to analyze what feelings Fox News is attempting to evoke in their audience after an act of terrorism is perpetrated. My analysis of rhetorical language will hopefully lead to insights about the news station’s implicit motivations.
Because my analysis is heavily focused on language and motivation I decided I would use the Fantasy Theme Criticism method. The Fantasy Theme Criticism method focuses on how messages are utilized to focus the audience’s attention until they imaginatively participate in the images and actions stimulated by the message. Fantasy Theme Criticism also explains how messages embedded with symbols are used to create the audience’s reality through convergence and Rhetorical Vision. By analyzing the symbols used in this specific artifact I can understand the Fantasy Theme’s that are attempting to be communicated. These Fantasy Themes will then provide insight into Fox News’ Rhetorical Vision and motivation.
I have a variety of reasons why I think this method with work the most effectively for my analysis. The first reason I chose this method is because it can work very well for analyzing the symbols found in language. Analyzing rhetorical language will be a key component in my study. Language is especially important in this study because the language used after an attack has occurred on American soil can be particularly powerful and laden with symbolism.
Another reason I selected this method is because of the types of Fantasy Themes that are developed during times of crisis are vastly different from themes created during non-crisis situations. Themes created during times of crisis often times operate so effectively because they evoke fear within their audience. Also during crisis situations the hero vs. villain type of narrative is frequently developed by fantasy theme. By analyzing this type of narrative I could possibly discover new insights about how rhetorical language is used to paint specific people and specific demographics of people as heroes and villains.
The final reason I selected the Fantasy Theme Criticism method for my analysis is that Fantasy Theme Criticism is heavily based on the concept of convergence. The concept of convergence plays an interesting role after a crisis occurs in the United States. Often time’s media outlets attempt to communicate that American’s need to come together as one after a terrorist attack is facilitated. The language used to develop as sense of solidarity as a nation is associated directly with the concept of convergence.
In conclusion I feel like the Fantasy Theme Criticism method will work effectively to analyze my artifact. I’m confident that my analysis of rhetorical language used in crisis situations will provide additional insights into rhetorical theory.
