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18.2: Activity by H. Morrison

  • Page ID
    248892
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    14.2 Activity

    As discussed, texts are usually thought of as written word-based, but they can also be audio and/or visual. For this class activity, consider the image below the text to be analyzed. Study it, and then read the context below it. Then complete “The Rhetorical Situation Worksheet” below.

    clipboard_e6f5d10757cedebef80fa503a847599ea.png

    Credit: Photo by Tara Winstead, 2021

    The text is a stock free image intended to be used to promote autism awareness. It features only three words—accept, understand, and love—and it has a white background with blue puzzle pieces bordering the image.

    Here’s some more context on the general connection between (blue) puzzle pieces and autism awareness from Cassandra Crosman’s 2019 In the Loop about Neurodiversity article “The Ableist History of The Puzzle Piece Symbol for Autism:”

    Today, the most recognized use of the puzzle piece is through the organization, Autism Speaks, who popularized the symbol. Since the organization was founded in 2005, they have used the puzzle piece logo to spread autism awareness. Even today, the puzzle piece logo of Autism Speaks can be seen on it’s [sic] website, in advertisements and public service announcements, on T-shirts, on pins NBA coaches wear in April, and in their Autism Walks. Autism Speaks said in a statement that, “The blue Autism Speaks puzzle piece has had a huge influence on raising awareness of autism around the world, which is why we believe it is still a worthy and effective logo. It represents the search for answers that will lead to greater understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum, their diverse challenges, abilities and strengths.” The “search for answers” that Autism Speaks refers to is the search for cures and treatments. Autism Speaks has previously called autism a disease, and has said statements such as, “This disease has taken our children away. It’s time to get them back,” and have called autistic people “burdens” and “tragedies,” and has called autism itself an “epidemic.” In their “I am Autism” advertisement, Autism Speaks made statements such as that autism “robs children of their dreams,” and that autistic children “live behind a wall.” The puzzle piece is also blue, which implies that autism only appears in males or that males are “more autistic” than females or other gender minorities such as transgender and nonbinary people.

    The Rhetorical Situation Worksheet

    Name of Text

    Author(s)/creator(s)

    Year of publication and publisher/publication

    N/A

    Topic(s)

    Main argument/ thesis statement

    Describe relevant elements of the author’s identity, experience/education, and reputation.

    N/A

    Context of the text (what relevant events were happening in the locality and world when the text was created?)

    Who’s the intended audience? What do you know about them?

    Who’s the audience? How do they differ from the intended audience?

    What is the author’s purpose? What do they hope to accomplish in creating the text?


    18.2: Activity by H. Morrison is shared under a CC BY-NC-ND license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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