Comparative Rhetorical Analysis

Fiorina's website is very interactive. There are many personal features on Fiorina's website, along with information about the political issues in which she is particularly interested. For many readers, getting to know who the political candidates are - their background, family, job experience, political experience - is just as important as knowing their stance on political issues. Fiorina's website satisfies readers' desire to really "know" their candidate. Her website is filled with a lot of personal information - including information on her family, previous job experiences, and her tough battle with cancer. This information is delivered in personal video messages from Fiorina herself. Each video is less than a minute, so that helps the reader listen to the whole message. In watching the videos, it is as if you are sitting down with Fiorina for a cup of coffee and hearing her "heart." This connection draws the reader in, so that the reader wants to hear Fiorina's views on political issues. The easy-to-follow website allows the reader to readily receive Fiorina's message. Plus, Fiorina has many links from her home page to different pages that contain information about herself. Whatever (and however) the reader wants to learn about this candidate (video, text, pictures, etc.), it is on this website. Each web page is not overly crowded either. Fiorina has a very appealing and current, up-to-date website.


Boxer's website definitely states Boxer's political experience. Each link takes the reader to information about Boxer's positions on the political issues in which she is most involved. For the reader who soley wants to know Boxer's political platform, this website definitely contains it; but the website lacks "warmth." The website does not draw the reader in, thus making it difficult to completely accept the author's message. The message of the author should be about "the people," but readers will sense a distance between them and the author/candidate. There is a link to contact the author by email, but no personal interactive connection, such as Facebook or Twitter, is noted. Boxer's website also could contain more white space, as her home page is slightly crowded. Boxer's website is a bit "old-school"; not very modern and just the facts.

Fiorina's website is more interactive, less crowded, and conveys a political message in her videos and statements on her website, as well as a personal message to her readers. This website is definitely more appealing to me and drew me in as a reader because it combined Fiorina's political views and her personal side. I was interested in listening to Fiorina's videos because it helped me get a glimpse of the type of person she is. Sharing such personal details about her life made me, as the reader, sense she is the type of person that would be trustworthy and honest with the American people. Boxer's website was not appealing to me because it lacked a personal touch. It was "cold" and left me feeling that I did not really get to know this candidate personally - just what she has accomplished politically. Boxer's website would appeal more to an audience that is strictly interested in her political stance on issues and not interested in getting to know her personally as a candidate.