The Rhetorical Analysis Essay …or how not to engage in an argument but talk about how the argument was created…

The task of this essay is to… …analyze the methods the author employs in his or her writing to… …convey the author’s …opinion …attitude, or …conviction …about some topic.

Rhetorical Analysis is an effort to understand how people attempt to influence others through language

You need to… Dissect the argument Identify the tools used to seek the reader’s agreement Analyze the way the author uses language to conduct his or her argument Diction—word choice Syntax—sentence structure Figures of speech—metaphor, simile, symbol, personification, hyperbole, allusion, imagery, apostrophe, pun, paradox, oxymoron dissect identify analyze diction syntax figures of speech

As you reread… diction Strong connotations Changes in connotation Changing structure Rhetorical questions Structures (parallel, loose, cumulative, periodic…) Figures of speech Patterns Pathos, ethos, logos As you reread… …take note of…

To earn an 8 or a nine:

Your essay earns this score if it effectively develops an analysis of the strategies Hawthorne employs to define and/or clarify the attitude he holds toward guilt. Your evidence is appropriate to the question and demonstrates convincing knowledge concerning the impact of the various strategies. You demonstrate an ability to control your style and are able to write well. To earn an 8 :

You have met all of the criteria for an 8 but your essay is really, really good. You have an impressive control of language, use sophisticated examples, and write in a sophisticated style. To earn a 9:

The literary element (tone, theme, etc The literary element (tone, theme, etc.) or argument (purpose; position) is the primary focus of your assertion. This is what you will PROVE about the text. The literary element is implied in the text by the author’s rhetorical choices—diction, imagery, details, language, syntax, etc. Your specific identification of the author’s choices is your textual proof for your assertion.

The rhetorical devices are the specific choices Hawthorne has made to communicate his argument, tone, theme, etc.

Ask yourself: “Self, what specific rhetorical devices did I notice that helped me see Hawthorne’s purpose?”

Choose the device for which you can quickly identify textual evidence. Diction— “awful business” “anticipated execution” “venerable and awful” “good people” What kind of words are these? Ironic, contradictory, satiric

Example: —Hawthorne uses satiric diction to define his critical tone. Refined example: —Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community, a community which formed the basis of our current social construct.

Example: —Hawthorne uses satiric diction to define his critical tone. Refined example: —Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community, a community which formed the basis of our current social construct.

Look over your writing so far. Do you have what you need?