1. A How to Guide Via Stasis Theory/Heuristic Questions

2. You need to first establish the context for your rhetorical artifact. To do so consider the following questions: In what historical moment did the artifact come into being? In terms of sociology and psychology, whats in play in the artifact? What form does the artifact take, and what conventions of the form are obeyed or flouted? Who is the person(s) behind this piece? Key Question: Who is the audience, and why does the rhetor choose this audience to convey her or his message?

3. How are ethos, logos, and pathos used? What types of evidence are used for what reason (kairos)? Key Question: What seems to be the larger, overall message of the rhetor?

4. What is emphasized and how is it emphasized in terms of the structure of the artifact? Key Question: Is the artifact set up to be experienced in a certain way (i.e. through comparison, division, etc.)?

5. If there is text, how is the text written? In a formal, informal, or some other tone/style? If the text has visual elements, what visual elements are there and how do they contribute to the rhetors message? Key Question: How might you describe the overall feel/style of the artifact?

6. If there are people in the piece, how are they moving, acting, using space? If the artifact is digital, how is the piece set up to be received by folks? Key Question: If you are dealing with digital media, how is the audience supposed to interact with the artifact?

7. What role, if any, does human memory play in your artifact? (Remember that actors memorize lines, slam poets their poems, and many online speakers parts of their speeches.) Key Question: How memorable is the piece, and why is it, or isnt it, a memorable rhetorical artifact?

8. How do the canons of rhetoric (and the attendant questions we just answered) help you establish that the rhetorical artifact was/is effective at helping your rhetor reach a given audience? THE POINT IS NOT TO SAY IF SOMETHING IS GOOD OR BAD AESTHETICALLY OR OTHERWISE YOU NEED TO SAY HOW AND WHY THE RHETORIC WORKS OR DOESNT WORK.

9. Foss, Sonja, K. Rhetorical Criticism. Long Grove, Il: Waveland Press, 2004. Print.