This selfie features two female college students at a football tailgate prior to the University of Michigan vs. University of Maryland football game. One figure is smiling with her lips closed while the other figure has an open mouth smile. Both students are dressed in the school’s colors (maize and blue). A Big Ten Network sponsored Snapchat filter is used tying the picture to the particular sporting event. The text at the top reads, “Who has the best tailgate in the Big Ten? Easy. We do”. The Michigan and Maryland logos are placed at the bottom of the filter along with the date, a football graphic, and the Big Ten Network logo.
Forensic discourse is one that that presents a truth or a fact about something that happened in the past. Rather than praising or blaming, it draws a connection between something in the present to something that happened in the past. While the development of this discourse held different meaning and had different applications when the philosophers in ancient times introduced it, there are many modern applications that still hold true today.
In this particular selfie, as the author, I am affiliating myself with an already established discourse community. In this case, the University of Michigan represents this already established discourse community. It is a school with a longstanding reputation for academic excellence, tradition, and pride. Specifically thinking about athletics, in particular football, the University of Michigan is a school with a successful and well-respected team. Students have incredible pride for Michigan football, most choosing to dress up in the school colors and tailgate in celebration on Saturday gameday mornings.
The addition of the snapchat filter to this selfie adds value to the composition’s overall meaning. In regards to forensic discourse, it sends the message that in that present moment on that particular day (11/5/16) we are celebrating Michigan and our pride in the school. However, those current feelings were really tied to the past in that our pride stems from the longstanding reputation, tradition, and success of our athletic program and its football team. Additionally, the header at the top “Who has the best tailgate in the Big Ten? Easy, we do” also draws a connection between the present enjoyable moment at the tailgate to the history and reputation the University of Michigan has of having fun and spirited tailgates. Therefore, the combination of these elements makes the selfie a strong example of forensic discourse in the modern era.
Thinking about my self and my personal choices, this picture is also great reflection of my identity and my values. When deciding on which academic institution I wanted to attend for college, I weighed a variety of factors and variables. It was important for me to attend a school with an outstanding academic reputation. As a athlete myself and a big fan of sports, a school with a prominent athletic program was also high on my list. Upon visiting Michigan I was instantly drawn to the spirited and high-energy atmosphere in Ann Arbor. Four years later, I know I made the perfect choice for me and I am proud to be a Michigan student everyday!
Attached is a link to the "The Letter M", a short video clip that was sent out in my acceptance email from the university. I chose to include this particular video as I think it does a great job of attaching value to the block letter "M", a letter that has become a symbol of the University of Michigan and its longstanding values and traditions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOYIPWK1F8
Forensic discourse is one that that presents a truth or a fact about something that happened in the past. Rather than praising or blaming, it draws a connection between something in the present to something that happened in the past. While the development of this discourse held different meaning and had different applications when the philosophers in ancient times introduced it, there are many modern applications that still hold true today.
In this particular selfie, as the author, I am affiliating myself with an already established discourse community. In this case, the University of Michigan represents this already established discourse community. It is a school with a longstanding reputation for academic excellence, tradition, and pride. Specifically thinking about athletics, in particular football, the University of Michigan is a school with a successful and well-respected team. Students have incredible pride for Michigan football, most choosing to dress up in the school colors and tailgate in celebration on Saturday gameday mornings.
The addition of the snapchat filter to this selfie adds value to the composition’s overall meaning. In regards to forensic discourse, it sends the message that in that present moment on that particular day (11/5/16) we are celebrating Michigan and our pride in the school. However, those current feelings were really tied to the past in that our pride stems from the longstanding reputation, tradition, and success of our athletic program and its football team. Additionally, the header at the top “Who has the best tailgate in the Big Ten? Easy, we do” also draws a connection between the present enjoyable moment at the tailgate to the history and reputation the University of Michigan has of having fun and spirited tailgates. Therefore, the combination of these elements makes the selfie a strong example of forensic discourse in the modern era.
Thinking about my self and my personal choices, this picture is also great reflection of my identity and my values. When deciding on which academic institution I wanted to attend for college, I weighed a variety of factors and variables. It was important for me to attend a school with an outstanding academic reputation. As a athlete myself and a big fan of sports, a school with a prominent athletic program was also high on my list. Upon visiting Michigan I was instantly drawn to the spirited and high-energy atmosphere in Ann Arbor. Four years later, I know I made the perfect choice for me and I am proud to be a Michigan student everyday!
Attached is a link to the "The Letter M", a short video clip that was sent out in my acceptance email from the university. I chose to include this particular video as I think it does a great job of attaching value to the block letter "M", a letter that has become a symbol of the University of Michigan and its longstanding values and traditions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOYIPWK1F8