RESEARCH FREEWRITE

P#1
 Introduce research paper topic
 Describe main focus
 Tentative thesis
American society are more readily adopting a now prominent attitude, that of apathy, especially in
terms of the concealed reliance on the need to consume, with no signs of change. It’s reflected
through a negative lens as America’s involvement in the Iraq war reached new heights of concern,
illuminating the nation’s dangerous and often problematic drive to satisfy consumerism. This
research paper will discuss America’s active involvement in the Iraq war and the reasons behind its
presence in the Middle East, all in relation to visual rhetoric expressed through such posters like my
own. I plan to address how America’s political alignment is rhetorically portrayed and raises alarming
issues that are often ignored or go unnoticed and examine their political agendas and other issues
such as strong commercial motives that flirt with debates that beg the question; is it worth risking
innocents troops for the prospect of oil?
P#2
 Discuss sources (what I intend to use to answer research issues)
My chosen poster vents sensitive topics and it is important that research is conducted appropriately
and correct sources are utilised. I plan to examine first hand materials such as press releases, journal
articles, political reviews, newspaper clippings, and importantly operate on other forms of visual
rhetoric like cartoon sketches or other similar propaganda posters, and finally interviews providing
commentaries the political climate and cultural reactions at the time. Basically I’m after anything I
can get my hands on that can provide greater depth and insight to the topic. My intentions are to
gather data from both perspectives, juxtaposing both American and Iraqi viewpoints, all in an
attempt to generate a balance in sources dictating higher accuracy and correctness in my research
paper.
P#3
 Speculate challenges/obstacles I may foresee in this project (what will be the most difficult)
 Use images to compliment written text
Research and information on this topic is very fruitful. There are endless suggestions and views on
the topic. One of the biggest problems I will encounter is filtering out the information I need and
critically determining what is most suitable and relevant for me. Another huge concern is the validity
and reliability in data I will encounter, what is right, what is wrong, what is legitimate etc, also I need
to avoid bias. I don’t think finding the actual information will be a problem at all as it’s a rather
prominent topic of discussion as it’s recently be rekindled by America withdrawing their troops.
There are many rhetorical strategies displayed throughout many mediums that depict such concerns
and perhaps getting the Iraqi viewpoints will be particularly difficult. Overall I’m looking forward to
my research.

NOTES
- Fuel the countries wants at the expense of innocent soldier’s lives
- their involvements include actively making attempts to politically and ___ stabilise the region of the
Middle East and harbour any potential threats, whilst at the same time they have motives in
attaining ‘things’ that will attend to the needs of the American way of constantly consuming.
- patronising attitudes that stir up radicals that ‘shoot from the hills’