There are so many things that could constitute a "Rhetorical Object" that sometimes it can be difficult to decide where to begin.
You could start by considering what subject you're interested in. Do you have a connection to a specific culture or place? Do you feel passionate about a historical movement or particular philosophy? Was there a recent moment in pop culture that felt truly significant to you? If you narrow it down by subject, try going through some of our subject-specific LibGuides for resources.
Or, you could start by picking the format of your object. If you've always enjoyed close reading, then maybe take a look through our speech banks. If you enjoy analyzing how directors encode meaning in their creations, explore the resources we have listed in the "Documentary Films" box. If you're more interested in artwork or historical artifacts, check out our suggestions for finding art and primary sources.
In order to provide a solid understanding of the rhetorical object that you are analyzing, you'll need to consult reference sources for background information. The resources listed here will get you started regardless of your topic. For further assistance, ask a reference librarian.
Try one of these, or browse speeches available at Emerson.
Lend Me Your Ears by 
Voices of Multicultural America by For more resources, check out this LibGuide:
For a more extensive list of archives and more information on primary sources, check out the LibGuide below:
Search the FLO Library Catalog to find books and media materials related to your rhetorical object.
Subject heading examples: