My Rhetorical Action Plan

This post is my general plan for my next project.

ActionFranceSAS "Action_Logo" Via Wikimedia Public Domain

1. Audience:  My audience will be people who are interested in technology.  Be it working in the field, studying it or simply having it as a hobby.

• Knowledge:  This is not intended for people who are experts, but also it intended for people who are at least interested in technology.  Because the argument itself is mostly conceptual it is not difficult to grasp and should not be inhibited by jargon or technical misunderstanding.
• Values: I know that the audience is interested in the future and most likely advancement of technology, alongside the fact that artificial intelligence is an extremely glorified and interesting topic to most people, especially those interested in technology.  Within the intended audience I am confident that there is a definite interest based on these values.
• Standards of argument.  Logic is almost definitely the primary contributing factor to an argument in this field.  I for example intend to use the logic of the possibility and inevitability of artificial intelligence to persuade my audience.  I think that trying to make an emotional appeal would be a waste of time in this context with my audience.
• Visual Elements: I think some sort of technology imagery or perhaps imagery of A.I. in popular media might make some sort of impression.  However I would not want to make it seem over dramatic with use of visuals.
• Purpose:  I want to raise awareness and expand understanding of an idea that is not particularly thought out. I want to bring some realistic conversation to something that is very often not taken seriously. 

2. Genre:

• Scholarly article (example 1) (example 2)
• I am interested in writing simply an academic piece that works to simply to provide a perspective and some information to think about.  
• The function of the genre is first and foremost to deliver the information and my opinion with very little filler content such as pictures that don't serve to add to my argument particularly well. 
•  The setting of the genre is within most academic subjects that are typically not as much political as they are theoretical.
• This genre relies mostly on logos, or logical arguments and appeals.  Ethos and pathos might actually take away from the arguments validity.
• I would only use visual elements where it is completely essential to add to information, such as a graph.  Otherwise I would use none.
• I would use an academic tone with this genre, because it is an issue that should be taken seriously but does not warrant a formal tone.
• Opinion Piece Article:  (example 1) (example 2)
• This is a less formal piece that is presented more as opinion.
• It is designed to effectively present an opinion to an audience, as it is labeled as an opinion piece, it is not meant to present something as fact.
• The setting of the genre is typically a website that published various articles.
• It is common for the opinion piece to have visuals, I would like for my piece to not rely on these and be light on them.  I think that it still applies that images can hurt an argument with my subject.
• The style is in between academic and conversational, as it is presenting information that is opinion, not fact but also is a serious presentation of information.

3: Responses/Actions:

Positive reactions:

• Acknowledge the issue and take it as a serious issue that should be addressed as soon as possible.
• Acknowledge the issue but disagree with the need to act immediately/as soon as possible.
• Acknowledge the issue but remain neutral as to the action to be taken.

Negative reactions:

• Do not acknowledge the possibility of the issue becoming a real threat.
• Rebuttal: Just because it does not affect humanity yet is not evidence against it, trends show that A.I. will come in time, and if it is human level it will need to be regulated.
• Acknowledge the threat and try to fight the creation of AI
• The benefits of AI are extremely high in potential, if humanity can focus on eliminating pitfalls it will change the very structure of society for the better and save lives, it is worth the effort. 
• Rebuttal: We should wait for the future before we impose anything.
• That is most likely what will happen and should happen, by presenting this issue I do not believe that we should act as though we know how to solve it, simply to prepare and educate ourselves for when the time that the public opinion is an important influence on the future of AI.