Writing a Rhetorical Critique Lesson 1

Simply put, a Rhetorical Critique is a written explanation about HOW a writer (or speaker) attempts to change the mind of his or her audience. Different from an Ideas Critique that analyzes the author/speaker’s ideas and their effectiveness in persuasion.

Rhetorical Triangle Purpose: First, one must clearly understand what the author/speaker wants. Audience: Next, understand the targeted audience. Strategy: Considering the audience--and knowing the purpose--what would be the most effective strategies? An effective rhetorical analysis demonstrates a full understanding of the interplay of the rhetorical triangle. A group of high school students would be a markedly different audience than, say, a a group of college professors.

Reading comprehension is crucial Students must first recognize and understand the author's purpose. Then, students have to read between the lines: What rhetorical strategies has the author chosen and why? Students should NOT see themselves as part of the audience.  They see the audience. They see the author. What is the author doing in order to affect the minds of the audience?    They should stand apart as observers.

Where to begin? Identify the author's purpose, recognize the target audience, discern the primary rhetorical strategies. Identify the Strategic Intent: Writer's have a purpose. Each word--and every detail--have been chosen. Why? How do the the writer's choice shape the audience's thoughts and feelings?

How & Why? Each time you question the author's words, ask yourself: Why did he say that? How does this choice shape the audience's thoughts and feelings? Write down the answers to these questions. This is how you can take notes; annotate first.

What are rhetorical appeals? Ethos--an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader. Pathos--an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response. Logos--an appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.

More rhetorical techniques/strategies Use of repetition: If they repeat it often enough, people tend to believe it. Also, repetition aids memory recall. Diction: Emotionally-charged words can he extremely effective. Also, a writer might use a patterns of words to establish a theme or message.  Standout sentences (that is, sentences designed to grab your attention) Tone (consider how effective sarcasm can be)

And still more… Addressing the opposition (I don't need to argue my position if I can show that the opposition's views are absurd) Use of historical precedents (this falls under analogies but is worth noting separately) Contrast (sometimes a writer best shows his position by contrasting it to another, weaker view) Selection of Detail (remember, the person making the argument chooses what you see and don't see)

It's all about the audience. The writer wants something: He wants his or her audience to think or feel differently about something. Each analytical paragraph should address the audience. End each body paragraph with an explanation on the probable effect on the audience, being sure to emphasize WHY and HOW the writer's choices might bring about this effect. HOW does the writer want the audience to think or feel? WHY does he tell them the things he does? WHY might the audience's minds be changed?

Considering the audience Effective persuaders KNOW their audience. They know weaknesses, biases, concerns, etc.... Is it a general audience or a specific audience? What does the audience already know or think about the topic at hand? What don't they know? Are there any significant events that the audience has recently experienced? What seems to be the audience's attitude or mindset before the speech or essay begins?

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTION OF DETAIL All word and details in the passage were chosen by its author. There are reasons behind every choice. Simply explain WHY the author presented the information that he did.

Diction + Detail = Tone With what feeling or emotion does the writer express himself? One's tone (or attitude) can be highly persuasive. A writer can use fear, anger, sympathy, or love to move his or her audience. If you have nothing else to say, write a paragraph about how the author conveys his or her attitude about the topic at hand. You always have this formula to write about.

Sequencing of Ideas: Follow the Developing Argument A writer does not randomly present ideas. The sequencing of information is important. Don't have paragraphs about metaphors, analogies, etc. Have paragraphs that present a stage in the author's argument and then illustrate how rhetorical choices (such as metaphors, analogies, etc.) convey the author's intent. 

The Challenger Explosion Critique Ronald Reagan’s speech after the Challenger Explosion, by noting his diction, tone, syntax, details, choice of ethos, pathos or logos, and intended audience.

Let’s take a closer look at the speech The first sentence identifies which section of the text you are discussing and the main idea of that section. Reagan begins his tribute to the Challenger astronauts by acknowledging that the shuttle accident has appropriately postponed his planned State of the Union address and by expressing the depth of his and his wife’s personal grief.

The second sentence conveys the writer’s support for the main idea by identifying and providing a specific example for one rhetorical strategy used by the writer. [This sentence is repeated if you want to discuss more than one rhetorical strategy.] He appeals to the mournful emotions of the audience by admitting that he and Nancy are “pained to the core” (3), that today is rightfully a “day for mourning and remembering” (2-3), and that the accident is “truly a national loss” (4).

The third sentence explains how the rhetorical strategies you discussed in the previous sentences help the writer achieve his purpose by using an in order to statement. He joins in this time of mourning in order to unify the nation and humbly admit that “we share this pain with all of the people of our country” (4).

The fourth sentence identifies the effect of the writer’s use of these rhetorical strategies on the audience. This outpouring of emotion from the president conveys a calming tone that reassures the Nation that their grief is both understandable and proper.

Put it all together and this is what one paragraph of the body of a rhetorical analysis essay might look like: Reagan begins his tribute to the Challenger astronauts by acknowledging that the shuttle accident has appropriately postponed his planned State of the Union address and by expressing the depth of his and his wife’s personal grief. He appeals to the mournful emotions of the audience by admitting that he and Nancy are “pained to the core” (3), that today is rightfully a “day for mourning and remembering” (2-3), and that the accident is “truly a national loss” (4). He joins in this time of mourning in order to unify the nation and humbly admit that “we share this pain with all of the people of our country” (4). This outpouring of emotion from the president conveys a calming tone that reassures the Nation that their grief is both understandable and proper.