Progression 2, Assignment 1: Instagram Analysis DUE Thursday 10/5

To start, pick one of the professional organizations you follow on Instagram (sporting team,
cosmetic brand, celebrity, amusement park, hotel, school, etc.). We want to look at recent posts
from this page, so it should be someone who posts fairly regularly. As you look at this page and
write your rhetorical analysis, you should go through the following steps.

1. After you have picked an organization on Instagram to analyze, you will need to look
through the page and find 1 post you believe accurately represents the image the
company/person wants to project to the public.

2. Answer the following questions regarding the post that you chose: Describe the visual
elements of the post. What does the author include visually (selfie, product, filter,
stickers, words)? Does the author appeal to any particular values or emotions in their
post? For example, does the author use their post in political ways? If so, how? Does
the author use their post to try to make their readers laugh/cry/get excited about
something/think about something/take action in a particular situation/etc.? If so,
how? Does the author do anything else that appeals to specific values or encourages
specific emotions in the audience?
3. Feel free to take note of anything else that helps us identify how this account is trying to
achieve their goals on Instagram.

Analysis Requirements:

1. Once you have answered the questions above, please write a 1 page analysis of the post
you chose.
2. Title should be Instagram Analysis: NAME OF THE ACCOUNT YOU CHOSE
3. Your first paragraph should introduce the Instagram page you chose, what about the page
makes you want to follow the account, and a description of the specific post you are
going to analyze.
4. The body of your analysis should incorporate the answers to question #2 above.
5. Your conclusion should address what you think is the ultimate purpose of the post. What
function did it serve the company/account holder?
6. Analysis should be typed, double spaced 12 pt font.
Progression 2 Exercise 2: Technology Log and Reflection Due: Thursday 10/12
Technology log and reflection: keep a technology log for one week and reflect on your
daily use of social media/social networking sites or apps; how much of your life is
dedicated to social media?

Task: Often, in todays technological environment, we do not realize just how much we are
using technology and social media. By logging your use of social media over a period of time,
you will be able to see exactly how much you, and your life, is defined by social media and
technology in general. Therefore, for the next week, every time you check any form of social
media, whether that be on your phone or computer, log it onto the Technology log sheet. At the
end of the week, write a 1-2 page reflection on the amount of time you spend on social
networking sites.

Guidelines:
Technology log must be stapled to your reflection for final submission.

For the purposes of this assignment, only pay attention to and log your use of the
Internet or mobile apps for social media or social networking purposes. If you can
communicate and share with other people, it is considered a social media/networking
site.

Reflection should be typed and double-spaced, 1-2 pages, and should answer the
following: How much of your life is dedicated to social media use? How does this
make you feel? What do you use social networking sites for? News, talking with
friends, shopping, looking at peoples pages, etc.? Consider the affect technology has
on your interaction with the world around you. Do you think this is positive or
negative?

Skills taught: reflection, self-awareness, analyzing social media use

Progression 2 Exercise 3: Visual Rhetoric and Rhetorical Analysis
Summary and Rhetorical Analysis: Watch the Black Mirror episode Nose Dive". Write
a short summary followed by a 2 page rhetorical analysis of the episode.

Task: It is important to understand the rhetorical purpose of popular media and how it reflects
the societal practices of its time. For this exercise, you will watch, summarize and write a
rhetorical analysis of The Black Mirror Episode Nosedive.

Guidelines:
Summary should be no less than half a page and include director's name, episode title,
and discuss the main characters/events of the episode
In class, there will be a rhetorical analysis sheet to fill out while we watch. Please turn
in this sheet stapled to your final submission.
In your analysis, consider the rhetorical situation: What is the director's purpose for
creating this episode? What is the context of the episode? What is the episode's
main argument and how is it illustrated in the show?
Who is the intended audience and why? Describe the genre of this episode. In what
ways does the episode appeal to audience emotion?
Provide specific examples from the episode in your analysis.
Progression 2 Essay
English 114A

Prompt:

Many critics argue that social media is slowly turning the American population into a narcissistic
group of individuals and that younger generations are losing the ability to genuinely relate to
each other. Using examples from outside sources, our readings, class discussions and the Black
Mirror episode Nosedive, discuss whether or not you agree with this emerging view of society.
DO NOT SIMPLY SAY I AGREE IN YOUR THESIS. Instead, discuss the current cultural
obsession with social media and the consequences, positive or negative, of that obsession.

Requirements:

1. Essays must be 4-6 pages, typed, double spaced, 12 pt. Font

2. Give your essay an appropriate title
3. For this essay, please include at least 3 examples to support your argument from the
readings/viewings weve done in class and 1 example from an outside academic/credible
source.
4. Include a properly formatted Works Cited page. Refer to Purdue Owl for correct MLA
format.
5. Essays are due by 10pm on 10/29 via Canvas.