Documentary Viewing Part 2

Essential Question: How have modes of communication been a reflection of history and society?
This documentary displays the views of both the current youth and older generations on the 21st century youth of America. It explores these views through discussions of politics, society, and culture. By using this as the topic of the documentary, this mode of communication clearly reflects history and society of the 21st century. This film examines "history in the making" by focusing on the current generation. This generation is making history now and will continue to do so as they grow and replace the older generations. The youth is the future, so by examining them in this documentary, the film makers are contributing to and examining history and society.

Essential Question: How do modern modes of communication affect the rhetorical devices individuals have at their disposal?
Current communication, such as documentaries, allow a variety of rhetorical devices to become available. Filmmakers have the ability to touch viewers in a way that other modes of communication cannot. Documentaries allow filmmakers to use video and audio to personally inflict the thoughts and emotions they want on their viewers. There is a certain personal connection established when viewers can physically see and hear a person explaining their thoughts. There is a further impact also on the viewers opinions based on what the interviewees say since viewers can also be affected by their appearance, backgrounds, voice, etc. Modern communication opens up countless new rhetorical devices for individuals to consider.

Documentary Viewing Post 1

Our Time directed by Matthew Heineman is a documentary created by 4 college-age kids. These kids traveled across all of the lower 48 states on a mission to discover the meaning behind being the youth of America in the 21st century. The film focused on college-age kids of all different classes, backgrounds, ethnicities, etc. It also talked briefly of the image that the older generations have of the youth. It addresses most common issues, including politics, society, culture, etc.

Some of the many rhetorical devices in this documentary include:

• music: Music is used through out the film to set the mood. The music is mostly calm and relaxing, as they show images of the group traveling across the country and talking with people in all different areas. This allows the film to flow and adds an interesting element.
• images: Spread throughout the film are series of photographs of the 4 kids who were traveling across the country at many different national parks. The parks are spread across the country. Adding this element gave the viewer an idea of the area of the country that would be focused on and added a way for the 4 kids to be a part of the film since it is largely focused away from them.
• audio: A few clips of radio static followed by a short radio blurb were added periodically throughout the film. This also helped show the viewer the area that they were traveling in rather than constantly showing their location in the same way. It added something unique, different, and intriguing.