How to find a rhetorical artifact:

As I prepare to finalize an idea for the semester paper in rhetorical methods, a question has surfaced.  How does a critic find a “text” to analyze? 

I ask this question because I find value in discussing the various ways critics select rhetorical artifacts to study.  Personally, I am torn at the whole process. 

I’ve always felt a tension between theory and artifact with rhetorical criticism.  Sometimes I question the relationship between the two components and if there should be a preferable method of developing a paper topic. 

I find the selection process to be a complicated decision due to the long and lengthy attachment that comes with rhetorical criticism. 

Thus, I ask the rhetorical community to share ideas and thoughts on their personal approach to finding a text.