Key Word Prompt *This is a Mandatory Post*

I think several of you are losing a grasp on the point of these blog posts. Instead of summarizing the narratives and themes of the videos, sites, etc, the purpose is to analyze how these rhetorical objects function within our culture, what issues they raise, the commentary which is provided by their very existence. So, to force you to contemplate the significance of an object, (be it a text, film, other visual, song, cultural artifact) here is your prompt for this week:

Since you all should have at least one source for the purpose of your research paper, flip to any page and find one word to investigate. Once you have chosen a single word, look up its definition on the Oxford English Dictionary which you can access via the clemson library page, databases a-z, then scroll to OED or click here: http://www.clemson.edu/library/allsubjects/databases_AZ.html#o

Post the primary definition in your blog response and then contemplate, for 400 words, that single word and its textual significance (the definition should help you think about this), what connotations/associations does it suggest, how does it fit into our current cultural period, what questions does it raise, how is it used in general and how is it used within your particular research, simply: what does it make you think about? 

Don't freak out. This initially might be difficult for you but it can be done. This is just a very close reading and will force you to look deeply into a rhetorical item. I'm extending the deadline until Friday at 11am since it may take you some time to work on this. 

Example:

If I were to choose the word "femininity" from one of my sources, I'd obviously look it up:

 »

 

 a. Behaviour or qualities regarded as characteristic of a woman; feminine quality or characteristics; womanliness. Also: an instance of this. Cf. feminity n. 1a.rare before late 18th cent.

and then based on the definition, contemplate maybe a few questions it prompts like: 

"is femininity something that women possess naturally or is it placed upon us by society?" 

"what does it mean to be feminine?" 

"are only women allowed to be feminine?" 

"if they are, how is that limiting individuality?" 

"what are the negatives associated with venturing outside of these gender expectations?"