How To Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Unlike argument or synthesis, this is not a debate paper. Task of the essay is to analyze the methods an author employs in his writing to convey his attitude, his opinion, or his conviction about some topic. You must talk about how the author’s argument is created. What tools do they use to gain their reader’s agreement?

You are NOT being asked to write a movie review: “Twain wrote really well and that held my attention.” It is not worth evaluating an essay if it was poorly written. Something holding your interest is not an insightful comment, much less astute analysis.

What are Rhetorical Techniques? The effective use of words to persuade or influence. Includes ethos, logos and pathos. Includes tone, diction, details, imagery, figurative language, humor, syntax, etc, etc, etc. Anything used to deliberately create effect.

What is a Rhetorical Analysis? Writing that separates the content (what the passage is about) from the methods (rhetorical strategies) used to successfully convey that content. Prompt offers an effect; answer should identify and discuss rhetorical techniques used to create the effect.

Rhetorical Analysis = Why, How, So What WHY = Are the choices effective and appropriate for the intended audience? HOW = What techniques doe the writer choose to present the material? SO WHAT = What is accomplished or created? If you don’t do this, you don’t have analysis!!

How do I Write a Rhetorical Analysis? Analyze the prompt to determine what kind of analysis and what effect to address. Understand the passage! Deal with “hidden” questions, such as: What IS the effect? Answer these in the first body paragraph. Given the time, select three techniques to discuss. Keep in mind the type of essay presented by the passage and look for typical techniques for that rhetorical mode.

Compose a thesis that states BOTH the effect AND the techniques. Be sure to avoid the trap of explaining meaning; no analysis should explain what the essay means Focus on HOW a technique creates the given effect. Rule of thumb: more than HALF your essay should be commentary.

How do I Write a Thesis for a Rhetorical Analysis? The author’s name plus an adjective (sophisticated, carefully crafted, flashy, inventive) plus the rhetoric strategies (three specific rhetorical strategies used as topics of body paragraphs) plus a strong verb (demonstrates, creates, emphasizes, generates, fulfills) plus the function (what the rhetoric does for the piece) Example: Douglass’s sophisticated use of diction, imagery and figurative language creates his unfavorable attitude towards slavery.

Use the SAME FORMULA to create your analysis… Diction: Author’s name plus adjective plus the term “diction” plus a strong verb plus the function plus examples from text.

Tone: Author’s name plus an adjective (informal, light, impartial, simple) plus the term “tone” plus strong verb plus the function plus examples. Syntax: Author’s name plus an adjective (short, simple, varied, repetitive, balanced) plus the term “syntax” plus the function plus examples.

Some Things Not to Do… Don’t use the author’s first name Discourteous, sloppy, and unscholarly Use the full name the first time you mention them, then the last name after that Avoid fancy language (be direct and clear) Bad: “The aphoristic asyndeton parallelism of the third sentence provided a syncretistic introduction for his thoughts.” Better: “The simple and direct diction of the third sentence provided an effective preface to the complex ideas that were to follow.”

Some Things Not to Do… Do NOT summarize the author’s essay. You must discuss strategies the author uses!!!

What You NEED to do… Discuss the author’s attitude toward the topic and the strategies the author employed to achieve his purpose.” Read to determine the author’s attitude Identify techniques he used to develop his argument

What You NEED to do… Diction Word choice Negative or positive Don’t say “The author uses diction to convey his meaning.” That is like saying “The wind blows wind to make wind.”

What You NEED to do… Syntax Short sentences are almost always abrupt, intense, and confrontational. They force a sudden stop in thinking. Long sentences are more thoughtful and permit reflection. Parallel syntax functions like a train gathering steam. It convinces by overwhelming the reader syntactically.

What You NEED to do… Syntax, cont. Rhetorical questions manipulate you to provide the answer the author wants you to accept. They are never meant as a genuine question, but are always coercive. Repetition within a piece is meant to provide emphasis. Repetition provides emphasis. Emphasis.

Instructions for Writing a Rhetorical Analysis

The Task… Your task in this assignment is to analyze the strategies the writer uses. Essay should be 4-5 pages Have one direct quote in each body paragraph. Follow the steps that I have included in the PowerPoint, including the outline.

Rhetorical Analysis Rhetorical Analysis can be defined as an effort to understand how people attempt to influence others through language and more broadly every kind of symbolic action—not only speeches, articles and books, but also architecture, movies, television shows, memorials, Web sites, advertisements, photos and other images, dance and popular songs.

Textual and Contextual Analysis Textual Analysis concentrates more on texts than on contexts. They typically use rhetorical concepts to analyze the features of texts. How does King use ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade his audience? How does his tone influence his audience? It focuses on mainly what’s written/being stated and doesn’t focus on external influences.

Textual and Contextual Analysis Contextual Analysis focuses on reconstructing the cultural environment, or context, that existed when a particular event took place. What external/social situations motivated King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” What were rights did women have when Woolf and De Beauvoir have when they wrote their essays? Contextual Analysis regards communications as anything but self contained.

Use Both for an Effective Analysis But we should emphasize that these two approaches to rhetorical analysis are not mutually exclusive. Textual analysis and contextual analysis inevitably complement each other.

Steps to Writing the Analysis Organize your paper in the following order: INTRODUCTION Begin with a hook/attention grabber Introduce your text and author, describe briefly the argument you are analyzing, and supply the necessary background State your thesis as the last sentence) of the introduction paragraph

Sample Thesis Statements By carefully incorporating ethos, pathos, and logos into his argument, Martin Luther King provides a convincing critique of white moderation during the Civil Rights Movement. It is through Manning Marable’s vivid historical examples that he is able to explore what he identifies as the “racial prism.” Plato’s use of metaphor, symbolism, and philosophy work to clarify the important relationship between citizens and the state.

Body Paragraphs: Context Who is the author? Through research on the Web, learn all you can about the author of the argument. Discuss the following ideas in this/these paragraph(s): How does the argument you are analyzing repeat arguments previously made by the author? What motivated the author to write? What is the author’s purpose for writing this argument?

Body Paragraphs: Context Through research, learn all you can about the place where the argument appeared and the audience. Discuss the following ideas in this paragraph *This paragraph can be combined with the previous paragraph about the author, or it can be separate: Who is the anticipated audience? How do the occasion and forum for writing affect the argument? How would the argument have been written differently if it had appeared elsewhere? What motivated the newspaper or magazine (or other venue) to publish it?

Body Paragraphs: Context What is the larger conversation? Discuss the following ideas in this paragraph *This paragraph can be combined with the previous paragraph about the author and/or audience, or it can be separate: When did the argument appear? Why did it get published at that particular moment? What other concurrent pieces of “cultural conversation” (e.g., TV shows, other articles, speeches, Web sites) does the item you are analyzing respond to or “answer”?

Body Paragraphs: Text Summarizing the argument Discuss the following ideas in this/these paragraph (s): What is the main claim? What reasons are given to support this claim? How is the argument organized? What are the components, and why they are presented in that order?

Body Paragraphs: Text What rhetorical appeals are used? In separate paragraphs, analyze the author’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos. Analyze the ethos: how does the writer represent himself of herself? Does the writer have any credentials as an authority on the topic? Do you trust the author? Why or why not? How does the author’s use of ethos support his or her central claim?

Body Paragraphs: Text Analyze the logos. What finds of facts and evidence in the argument? Direct observation? statistics/? Interviews? Surveys? Quotations from authorities? How does the author’s use of logos support his or her central claim? Analyze the pathos. Does the writer attempt to invoke an emotional response? Where do you find appeals to shared values? How does the author’s use of pathos support his or her central claim?

Body Paragraphs: Text How would you characterize the style? Discuss the following ideas in this paragraph: Is the style formal, informal, satirical, or something else? Are any metaphors used? How does the author’s style and/or figures of speech support his or her claim?

Conclusion Summarize your main points End with an example that typifies the argument Remind readers of your thesis

Now it is your turn to Draft your Own Analysis!! THE END Now it is your turn to Draft your Own Analysis!!