Deeper Reading: “Backpacks vs. Briefcases”
Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis
“Backpacks v. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis by Laura Bolin Carroll, can be found here.
Imagine the first day of class in first-year composition at your university. The moment your instructor walked into the room, you likely began analyzing them and making assumptions about what kind of teacher they would be. You might have noticed what kind of bag they are carrying—a tattered leather satchel. A hot-pink polka-dotted backpack? A burgundy briefcase? You probably also noticed what they are wearing—trendy slacks and an untucked striped shirt? A suit? Jeans and a T-shirt?
The above observations likely were only a few you made. You might have also noticed your instructor’s shoes, their jewelry or tattoos, whether they wear a wedding ring, how their hair is styled, whether they stand tall or slump, how quickly they walk, or maybe even if their nails are done. If you don’t tend to notice any of these things about your instructors, you certainly do about the people around you—your roommate, others in your residence hall, students you are assigned to work within groups, or a prospective date. For most of us, many of the people we encounter on a given day are subject to this kind of quick analysis.
