Learning card

Memetorics (Rhetoric of memes)

Description

This activity introduces participants to the different rhetorical devices by using them in the production of a meme (a viral image)

Tag
  • Design
  • Media
  • Photo
  • Web
Skills

PRODUCTION

  • Create and modify photographic productions
  • Use photography and editing tools
  • Create and modify images and design
  • Use image and design tools

SOCIAL MANAGEMENT

  • Participate in social media
  • Collaborate

NARRATIVE AND ASTHETICS

  • Interpret
  • Recognise and describe
  • Apply
Learning areas
  • Foreign Languages
  • Language
  • Social Sciences
Card language
  • Spanish
  • English

Structure

Sessions
1
Duration
60'
Number of participants
10-30
Age
  • 14-16
  • 17-18
Materials
  • Post-it
  • Computer or smartphone
  • Photo editing app

Process

Key questions
  • What is a rhetorical device?
  • Why are they useful?
  • How do we use them in everyday communication?
  • How can we use them?
  • What is viral communication? What’s a meme?
  • What do you like about memes?
  • Are rhetorical devices important in memes?
Development

At home, students read a list of rhetorical devices with examples from literature and journalism.

In the class the teacher explains the main devices and shows graphic examples (photos, audiovisual, etc.) (10’).

Participants organize themselves into groups and produce memes. Each meme should represent – through a combination of text and image – a rhetorical device. (30’).

There are many websites and mobile apps that allow users to create and download memes. Ask your students or look for them online. (5’).

The activity finishes with an exhibition of the productions and final discussion about rhetorical and viral circulation of information (25’).

Evaluation

Se imprimen todos los memes y se reparten entre los diferentes grupos. Cada grupo debe evaluar un meme a partir de algunos criterios como el uso correcto de la figura retórica, coherencia entre imagen y texto, creatividad, etc.

References for professors
Author

Carlos A. Scolari. Universitat Pompeu Fabra-Barcelona (Spain), carlosalberto.scolari@upf.edu

  • Design
  • Media
  • Photo
  • Web