1. 2018 Speech Analysis Revision

2. Step 1: Intro Paragraph
Explains the background & context of the speech in the writer’s own words.
Must include the sources used in-text as well as at the end of the document on Works Cited Page
Ends with a well-thought out & precise thesis statement, which follows this structure:
In [name of orator]’s “Title of Speech”, he/she uses logos, ethos or pathos and rhetorical device to show/explain/tell the audience about his/her explain the speech’s claim.

3. Step 2: Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence:
Does the topic sentence identify an appeal (ethos, pathos, or logos) used to support the speaker’s claim? If not, it should!
Sample:
The persuasive appeal King relies on the most to convince his audience to confront racial inequalities is pathos.
Evidence:
Includes at least 2 quotations/examples of the chosen appeal. Underline the evidence.
Writer accurately identifies the appeals in the speech
Reasoning should follow evidence (we will get to this in a moment)
Concluding Sentence:
Does the last sentence summarize the idea of the paragraph?
The strong emotional appeals in the speech help the audience understand the pain racial discrimination causes.

4. Evidence Format
There should be no floating quotes in your essay. Evidence/quotes MUST have a transition leading into them IN YOUR WORDS. Here is an example:
For instance, he tells the audience his hope that one day, “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood” (King).
Don’t do THIS:
King also uses imagery to help paint a clear picture of how much more positive the world would be if people judged others on their character, rather than their skin color. “The sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood” (King). This line paints a…

5. Step 2: Body Paragraph 1- Reasoning
Highlight the reasoning used in your paragraph (if you don’t have a highlighter, use a colored pen to underline it)
Does each piece of evidence have reasoning directly following it? If not, make note of this. Your reasoning should directly explain WHY the example is effective. Make note if not.
DON’T JUST DEFINE THE APPEAL! CONNECT IT TO THE THESIS!
Poor Reasoning: One example of logos is when Henry states, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated.” Here, he is listing off all of the examples of attempts the colonists have made to maintain the peace.
Good Reasoning: One example of logos is when Henry states, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated.” Listing off the specific examples of the colonists’ failed attempts to keep the peace is effective because he factually proves that peace has not been possible for the past 10 years and is not likely to occur now. This is very convincing, because it shows the audience that they need to try a new approach.

6. Step 3: Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence:
Does the topic sentence identify a rhetorical device used to support the speaker’s claim? If not, it should!
Sample: King also uses imagery to help paint a clear picture of how much more positive the world would be if people judged others on their character, rather than their skin color.
Evidence:
Includes at least 2 quotations/examples of the chosen device. Underline the evidence.
Writer accurately identifies the devices in the speech
Reasoning should follow evidence (we will get to this in a moment)
Concluding Sentence:
Does the last sentence summarize the idea of the paragraph?
Sample: King’s imagery makes the speech memorable and more emotionally powerful.

7. Evidence Format
There should be no floating quotes in your essay. Evidence/quotes MUST have a transition leading into them IN YOUR WORDS. Here is an example:
For instance, he tells the audience his hope that one day, “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood” (King).
Don’t do THIS:
King also uses imagery to help paint a clear picture of how much more positive the world would be if people judged others on their character, rather than their skin color. “The sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood” (King). This line paints a…

8. Step 3: Body Paragraph 2- Reasoning
Highlight the reasoning used in your paragraph (if you don’t have a highlighter, use a colored pen to underline it)
Does each piece of evidence have reasoning directly following it? If not, make note of this. Your reasoning should directly explain WHY the example is effective. Make note if not.
DON’T JUST DEFINE THE DEVICE! CONNECT IT TO THE THESIS!
Poor Reasoning: One example of logos is when Henry states, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated.” Here, he is listing off all of the examples of attempts the colonists have made to maintain the peace.
Good Reasoning: One example of logos is when Henry states, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated.” Listing off the specific examples of the colonists’ failed attempts to keep the peace is effective because he factually proves that peace has not been possible for the past 10 years and is not likely to occur now. This is very convincing, because it shows the audience that they need to try a new approach.

9. Step 3: Conclusion Paragraph
Restate thesis
Writer thoroughly explains why this speech is significant in American history and/or culture
Essay comes to a satisfying end without stopping abruptly, posing new ideas or ending with a question

10. Organization & Clarity
All of the paragraphs are in proper order
Paragraphs transition well from one to the next
Writing is clear & descriptive.

11. Grammar
Essay has been proofread for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure
Double-spaced
2 transition words or phrase per paragraph (before evidence)
Correct spelling (author!!)
APOSTROPHES

12. Works Cited
All evidence (summary, quote, paraphrase) needs an in-text citation. Double check this! It should just be the author’s last name, or whatever comes first in the fill MLA citation, in parenthesis and the end of the sentence containing the evidence:
The night before King gave the speech, one of his aides gave him the advice not to use the words “I have a dream”, as the aide felt they were cliché and overused (Younge).
Works Cited Page:
At the end of the essay, ON ITS OWN PAGE, any outside citations should be listed. Use Easybib.com to generate your citation. Be sure you use a hanging indent on this page.

13. Sample Works Cited