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.
Vital Speeches of the Day is the most complete magazine including the text of speeches; coverage is from October 8, 1934 to present.
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:
For this activity, we are going to break into groups and look at several rhetorical artifacts. We at the Iwasaki Library recognize that some of these historical artifacts contain potentially offensive content that is not condoned by the College. As librarians, we are committed to upholding the principle of equal and free access to historical information and present these artifacts in their original and unaltered forms for the purposes of learning and study. Providing access to these items does not in any way endorse any attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors depicted in them. The Iwasaki Library is fully committed to the College's efforts to achieve inclusive excellence as well as the belief that society must recognize its past offenses in order to improve itself and ensure those atrocities do not happen again.
Embracing Martin Luther King, Jr.
Boston Massacre, March 5th, 1770
