Rhetorical
• Presents an argument and lays out evidence to support it.
• A persuasive argument
• The goal of such a film is to make the audience hold an opinion about the subject
matter and perhaps to act upon that opinion.
• It tries to convince the viewer of something of practical consequence
• It addresses the viewer openly, trying to move him or her to a new intellectual
conviction, to a new emotional attitude, or to action.
•The subject matter of the film will not be an issue of scientific truth but a matter of
opinion, toward which a person may take a number of equally plausible attitudes.
• The filmmaker will try to make his or her position seem the most plausible by
presenting different types of arguments and evidence
•Because the issue cannot be absolutely proven, we may decide upon our opinion simply
because the filmmaker has made a convincing case for one position.
• This film form centres so consistently around explicit meaning and ideological
implications.
• If the conclusion cannot be proven beyond question, the filmmaker often appeals to our
emotions rather than presenting only factual evidence.
• The film will often attempt to persuade the viewer to make a choice that will have an
effect on his or her everyday life.
• The arguments are not presented as arguments. The film will often present arguments
as if they were simply observations or factual conclusions.
• The film won't tend to point out other opinions.
• There are 3 main types of arguments; relating to the source, to the subject and to the
viewer.
Is it trying to make a convincing argument?
If the film is rhetorical, what is the argument being made?
What pieces of evidence are given, and how convincing are they?
How does the film itself make it seem authoritative and reliable?
How do the parts move toward the conclusion that the viewer is able to arrive at?