Rhetorical Analysis

9 The response meets the criteria for an 8 and exhibits greater depth and/or impressive control of language; the writer’s voice is original and strongly present.   8 The maturely written response clearly focuses on the topic and effectively employs substantial supporting evidence; accurately and insightfully focuses on the topic; refers to specific examples and clearly connects them to the topic; demonstrates an ability to control a wide range of the elements of effective writing.

Respond to the Prompt Nearly every speech, every political cartoon, every ad—even many a conversation—is an argument. To successfully complete this essay, you cannot engage in that argument. Instead, you must talk about how the argument is created. How does the author use words to make his point?

Diction This is about word choice Identify the key words the author uses Notice the connotation of words Words such as “cruel,” “inhuman,” and “grotesque” have a negative connotation and would identify a prejudice in an argument. It is not enough to say “The author uses diction to convey his meaning.” This is like saying, “The author uses words to make a point.”

Syntax Sentence structure is a valuable tool in any analysis. Short sentences are almost always abrupt, intense, and confrontational, and they force a sudden stop in thinking. Long sentences are more thoughtful and permit reflection. Parallel syntax convinces by nearly overwhelming the reader syntactically – like a train gathering steam Rhetorical questions manipulate the reader to provide an answer the author wants the reader to accept.

Figures of Speech Look for patterns Is the author using imagery to manipulate the reader’s emotions? Metaphors, symbols, and / or allusions can provide enough substance for a full paragraph of analysis if the student understands the nuances of the device and the meaning it gives to the passage as a whole.

Rhetoric Pathos Ethos Logos Emotional appeal Credibility Logical, rational, reasonable