The Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Task Unlike argument or synthesis, this is not a debate paper. Task of the essay is to analyze the methods 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?

Task, cont. You are NOT being asked to write a movie review: “Twain wrote really well and that held my attention.” The test makers wouldn’t have you evaluate an essay if it was poorly written. Something holding your interest is not an insightful comment, much less astute analysis.

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 bear baiting 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

Rhetorical Strategies 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.”

Rhetorical Strategies 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.

Rhetorical Strategies 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. Reptition provides emphasis. Emphasis.

Rhetorical Strategies Figures of speech  Metaphor--Allusion  Simile--Apostrophe  Symbol--Pun  Personification--Paradox  Hyperbole--Oxymoron

Rhetorical Strategies Figures of speech  Look for patterns.  Is the passage heavy with metaphors and similes? You can write an entire paragraph of analysis on a particularly powerful metaphor, symbol, or allusion.  Are their certain kinds of symbols operating?

Rhetorical Strategies College Board expects you to be familiar with…  Greek Mythology  Judeo-Christian religious tradition  Main works of Western thought

Rhetorical Strategies Rhetoric PELIDS  Pathos  Ethos  Logos  Inductive  Deductive  Syllogism