Communication end of year final project.

2. DEFINITION OF RHETORICAL CRITICISM:
“Rhetorical criticism refers to a process in which an individual analyzes
symbolic artifacts (including words, phrases, images, gestures,
performances, texts, films, and "discourse" in general) to discover how,
and how well, they work: how they instruct, inform, entertain, move,
arouse, perform, convince and, in general, persuade their audience,
including whether and how they might improve their audience. Rhetorical
criticism puts the focus on what a piece of work does, not what it is.[1] In
short, rhetorical criticism seeks to understand how symbols act on people.”

3. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF RHETORIC
The ancient Greeks believed the four elements of rhetoric were;
• Verbal
• Expositional
• Discrete
• Hierarchical

4. HISTORY OF MOTORCYCLES
 Around 1865 the first model was introduced, the “Steam Velocipede.”
 First motorcycle made was in 1885, which was simply a wooden bike
with a motor attached.
 The first American motorcycle was made in 1899.
 In 1903 was when William Harley, and brothers Walter and Arthur
Davidson created the famous Harley Davidson.
 1907 New York Police Department started using motorcycles.

5. TRENDING OF MOTORCYCLES
 World War 1 was where you saw the first major trend where they were
used at first as an emergency means of transportation to bring the
paramedics quickly.
 Soon motorcycles were used more commonly in the military scene.
 Today they are mostly for material reasons, considering they are not the
safest means for transportation.

6. WW1 MOTORCYCLE MACHINE GUN

7. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
 In the United States, we have this representation of motorcycles which
is very different to if we were to look at another area. For example if we
visited Europe, the streets are smaller and many people ride
motorcycles that stray far from our stereotypical motorcyclist.
 Motorcycles are cheaper in means of gas, making them more
economical especially in poorer countries.
 The idea of motorbikes are represented much differently then they are
here, and do not have the “sex appeal,” as they do in the United States.

8. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES CONTINUED

9. TODAY’S REPRESENTATION
• Motorcycles today have taken on the rebel stereotype.
• Often connected with tattoos, leather and the “bad,” persona.
• The entertainment world shows criminals using motorcycles.
• Along with the “bad guys,” the “good guys” meaning police also ride
motorcycles who have the tough exterior.
• There are some extreme sports using motorcycles, including;
motocross, bike racing and doing tricks for entertainment.

11. SONS OF ANARCHY
This was a popular television show with a biker gang, here is a clip from
the show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QZJxVKzNmQ

12. AMERICAN CHOPPER
This is anther TV show where they customize, and rebuild bikes. The main
character is a perfect example of what is the typical motorcyclist is
represented in today’s media.

13. CONTINUED
The way that Americans have continued this tradition of what cyclists are
“supposed,” to look like has been going on for years. Not only is the
image what I’ve described before, but also a majority of riders are male.
Women are typically shown modeling the bikes in bikinis, holding the
flag at races, riding on the back behind a man and are a sex symbol.

14. CONCLUSION
 The motorcycle is no longer just a bike with a motor, but also has its
own representation. Over the years there are traditions such as Sturgis,
and a whole world that revolves around these bikes. We have built our
own ideas around motorcycles and through the media and
entertainment we have imprinted what we believe a rider should look
like. For example, in the future if we showed women riding in movies
with a softer look, then the representation could change. For now if we
all close our eyes and picture a motorcyclist, the image may have some
differences but mostly similar.

15. SITES THAT WERE USED
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_criticism
http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/a/motorcycle.htm
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soa+motorcycle+scene
http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/stories/history
http://blog.esurance.com/a-brief-history-of-the-motorcycle-from-boneshakers-to-
superbikes/#.VT6Zx864nVo