Context
This article was developed as part of the Publishing and Editing II course I completed during the Winter semester of 2024. The course emphasized the rhetorical canon of delivery, examining how both analog and digital publishing practices have historically shaped and perpetuated social hierarchies. Central to the course was the Advancing Equity project, which required each student to analyze a social inequality reinforced by publishing practices. The initial assignment involved writing an article on a specific social inequality, which we subsequently published on Medium. For my project, I chose to investigate the representation of bisexual women in film and its role in perpetuating harmful attitudes toward bisexual individuals. My focus centered on the formation and perpetuation of stereotypes about bisexual women, particularly those that persist in both queer-friendly and queer-unfriendly environments.
Rhetorical Analysis
Given the public nature of this piece, I began by identifying the specific niche within the general audience that my article was most likely to attract. The primary demographic includes bisexual women, but I also aimed to engage other groups. By centering my analysis on film, I sought to appeal to readers with a general interest in cinema, including men and individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community. This focus led me to anticipate that the majority of my audience would consist of younger readers casually engaging with the content, drawn by at least one aspect of the article. To accommodate this diverse audience, I adopted a simple and accessible writing style to make the subject matter less daunting and more engaging. This linguistic choice fosters an approachable tone, inviting readers into what feels like a productive dialogue rather than a formal lecture.
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To effectively connect with such a varied audience, I employed clear and strategic methods to establish ethos, logos, and pathos throughout the article. I opened with a statement suggesting that most readers likely know someone who is bisexual. This immediately engaged pathos by creating a personal connection, even for those who are not part of the bisexual community. Following this, I explored the history of queerness in film and its relationship to contemporary representations of bisexuality. By incorporating definitions and referencing legislative acts related to the film industry, I established ethos, signaling that my arguments are well-researched and credible. These references not only reinforced ethos but also contributed to logos by presenting a logical progression of ideas, illustrating how historical depictions of queerness in cinema have influenced modern portrayals. This structured progression provided a foundation for deeper analysis and interpretation.
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Additionally, I incorporated film stills depicting bisexual women to provide contextual visual references, particularly when discussing concepts such as "the male gaze." These images not only offered clarity and enriched the audience's understanding but also served as an emotional appeal. By highlighting the overt sexualization of these characters, the images were intended to provoke discomfort, thereby prompting readers to critically reflect on the implications of such portrayals.
Reflection
This piece effectively informed and engaged a general audience regarding the inadequate representation of bisexual women in film and the tangible societal impacts of such portrayals. If revising this article, I would incorporate examples from television series to provide a broader scope of media analysis and include a work produced within the last two years to ensure the discussion remains current and relevant. Overall, the rhetorical strategies employed in the piece successfully crafted a persuasive argument with the potential to resonate deeply with readers.