1. Preparing to Write the Essay
Rhetorical Analysis
Preparing to Write the Essay

2. The Rhetorical Triangle / SOAPS

3. S - Speaker
Who is the writer/speaker/author?
What are his credentials/his authority?
What is his stance (position)?
Curious?
Opinioned?
Passionate?
Indifferent?
Something else?
Knowing all of this about the speaker’s affects how you understand the text, whether you agree or disagree take it seriously, etc.

4. O - Occasion When? Where? What caused the writing to happen?
What’s the broader issue, the big picture?
The immediate situation?
Atmosphere
Attitudes
Events

5. A -- Audience Who is the intended audience?
Are you a member of that group?
If not, should you plan to look up
unfamiliar terms/concepts
Might you run into ideas/assumptions/
philosophies that you DON’T agree with?

6. P -- Purpose Why are YOU reading this text? WHY does the text exist?
What is the writer’s goal?
What does he want to achieve?
Entertain?
Inform?
Persuade?
What does he want you to think or to do now?
Why are YOU reading this text?

7. S - Subject What is the text about? Specific / general?
Current / timeless?

8. Other Aspects to Consider…

9. Genre Knowing the genre can help you anticipate key features.
What is the genre?
Fiction?
Nonfiction?
Analysis?
Essay?
Something else?
Knowing the genre can help you anticipate key features.

10. G – Genre Continued Publisher / Sponsor? Date of publication?
What is the medium the text is written in?
Speech?
Essay?
Letter?
Book – fiction/nonfiction?
Web?
Publisher / Sponsor?
Date of publication?
Reputable?
Credible?

11. Your Reaction to the Text
What is your initial reaction?
Emotional
Intellectual
Why do you think you had this
reaction?
Agree / disagree?
Personal experiences / background?
Personal beliefs / philosophies?
As much as possible, don’t let your own opinions color your
analysis of the situation. That’s why you have to identify your
opinions up front!

12. Appeals

13. ETHOS
To demonstrate
Credibility
Trustworthiness
Consider the speaker’s:
Reputation
Expertise / experience
Knowledge
Sincerity
Any combination of the above
The speaker’s ethos gives the audience a reason for listening to this person on this subject.

14. PATHOS
Appeals to
Emotions
Values
Desires
Hopes/fears/prejudices
There is great power in evoking an audience’s emotions.
TOOLS:
Figurative language
Personal anecdotes
Vivid imagery

15. LOGOS TOOLS: Appeal to reason Uses clear, rational ideas
Specific details
Examples
Facts
Statistics
Charts
Graphs
Expert testimony

16. Putting it All Together

17. In Your Book Group
Analyze the rhetorical situation Einstein’s letter for SOAPS and G.

18. In Your Book Group Analyze Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech
Analyze Gehrig’s argument & appeals

19. With ONE Partner Analyze Bush’s 9/11 speech
Analyze Bush’s argument & appeals

20. On Your Own Analyze the book’s rhetorical situation
Analyze the author’s argument & appeals

21. In Your Book Group Share your rhetorical analysis of your book Discuss
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