A 10:002 or 10:003 Unit ~ Cults and Controversy

Overview	Schedule		Activities		Formal Assignments		Resources
	Weeks 1-2	Weeks 3-5	Ads	Scenarios	Paper	Speech

Speech: Analyzing Appeals and Audience

For the paper and the speech you will draw upon your own study of a cult of your choosing. The religious movements web page in particular should be most helpful, as it contains an alphabetical listing of "new religious movements" with a brief comprehensive outline of each group's beliefs. This speech is a role-playing exercise, not an exercise in responsible advocacy (i.e. support for a viable option or course of action) that you’ll be studying later in Rhetoric.  In this exercise, you will illustrate your understanding of how religious groups (and your chosen group in particular) persuade members to join.  This speech builds on the essay, for you will take into account not only your group’s beliefs but also what types of people they typically attract. Pretend that you are a cult member trying to recruit new members.  That's it. That's all I'm telling you. It's up to you to decide where and when this recruitment is taking place (an opinion informed by your study of the cult), what you will tell the potential converts about the cult (which beliefs will most easily lure them in), how (in what kind of rhetoric will you couch this appeal?) and who (whom are you targeting? who are you pretending to be?)  You should decide upon a "premise" that fits your cult's means of operation. By the "premise," I mean, imagine the specifics of when, where, how, and by/for whom this recruitment is taking place.  When you hand your topics in (see below), I'll make up a sheet with everyone's "premises" on it so that we can all join you in your imaginative space when you give your speech. Some tips: You would do well to review the textbooks (especially Gallanter) to get tips on how to recruit and convert.  Keep in mind the 'ads assignment,' in which you made use of appeals.  Also note how in the movie The Apostle, the character "Sonny" used some high drama and slick rhetoric to lure converts. Your particular performance might be different, depending upon the cult and your purpose, but his model might inspire you. And be sure to look at the cult's recruitment materials again to understand and recreate a possible recruitment scenario for your cult.  Also choose your setting and audience well. What do you assume about your audience (think of the personality types?)--are you “preaching to the choir” or your staunchest opponents? Criteria for Evaluation: You will write a brief analysis of your performance (at least 1 page), in which you justify why you contrived the premise as you did. What appeals and persuasive techniques, gleaned from your study of cults and consumer culture, did you include in the speech? And how did your analysis of the cult and your audience inform these choices? The speech will be at least three minutes in length. Yes, this is relatively short, but I'm looking for quality here. Please feel free to exceed this limit. You would do well to work with the same cult as you did in the paper. If you are changing cults, you'll need to submit a brief informational essay (about a page) on its beliefs. You will also turn in your peer evaluation forms and any cues from which you delivered. You will sign up for a speaking slot beforehand. Remember, “If you don’t show, you don’t go.” Notify me if you must be absent on the day you are to deliver so I can make other arrangements for you and the class time. Aims for Speaking: Content (two-thirds of grade) construct a well-thought out premise that suits your cult and purposes make use of at least two types of appeal analysis of your performance (at least a page.) Delivery (one-third of grade) Pace (not too fast or slow, good enunciation, good pauses), vocal inflection (pitch and volume) and eye contact.

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