Everything is an argument. Everything.

Now, now, don’t laugh. I’m serious about this one. We spent much of last week discussing the intricacies of communication. We developed an extensive list of "texts" to hopefully make you realize that all human behavior – perceived by at least one viewer, reader, or listener – constitutes a form of communication. If all communication intends to persuade, in some form, then ultimately we reach one of the basic tenets of the course. We conclude that “everything is an argument.”

Three weeks ago, MTV presented its annual awards to contemporary and past pop music stars for their outstanding music videos. We know them as the Video Music Awards - the "VMAs" if you will. You can see a list of the winners by visiting the VMA website. Whether you like MTV music videos or not, you have to acknowledge that they are powerful forms of communication, and they definitely make an argument.

We have begun our discussion about rhetorical analysis. The most basic rhetorical analysis must consider an example of communication and then identify its major components: the speaker, audience, subject, purpose, context, and various appeals. During the year, we’ll look closely at the rhetorical strategies that a variety of American authors use in their writing. At this point, however, I want us to consider a broader spectrum of communication.

Choose one 2013 award winning music video as a “text.” If none of these videos strike your fancy, you may choose a video nominated for a VMA in 2013. You can find a list of nominated videos here. Find that video somewhere, preferably on Youtube, and watch it. You’ll probably need to watch it several times. Using between 350-450 words, craft a preliminary rhetorical analysis of the video. Although you should address the major components of communication, you need not formally structure your response. At this point, just explore how this fairly alternative “text” confirms our conclusion that “everything is an argument.”

The content of your post should be serious, but your technique can be as informal as Lady Gaga is unique.

As part of your response please embed the video into your response so we can all watch them. I have embedded one of the nominated videos at last year’s VMAs.