Rhetorical Analysis

DIRECTIONS

This essay requires a three-point thesis statement. Please see the “How to Write a Great Thesis” announcement.

For this assignment, you will develop a 4-page (including 1 Works Cited page; 5 pages in total) rhetorical analysis of a published article. Aim for no more than 6 body paragraphs–8 in total–which includes the introduction and conclusion.

Step One
Choose an article that interests you. It is important to choose an article that makes a substantial argument for you to analyze. My suggestion is to go the the website of journals that specialize in the longer persuasive essays such as https://www.newyorker.com/ or https://slate.com/ Please choose an understandable article that interests you.

OR

Choose one of these famous speeches that make substantial arguments using many of the persuasive techniques studied in class. If you choose a speech, listen to the speech as you read along with the text. Please use the following site: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/ I recommend choosing a less common speech that you think your peers may not write about. You may find that it’s easier to generate fresh ideas on speeches that aren’t super common

Step Two
Submit the topic proposal sheet by the due date on Canvas. Submit even if you are choosing one of the suggested speeches as this is worth points.

Step Three
Carefully read the article/speech and determine subject matter and goals of the author. What is the author’s purpose? Who is the author’s audience? Where and when was the article published? You will need to do some research here as you discuss the rhetorical situation.

Step Four
Analyze the rhetorical elements of the author’s writing style. Writers and speakers use words in language in different ways to achieve different effects. Rhetoric recognizes that a speaker or writer persuades his audience with different tools and techniques.

Step Five
Write an outline for the rhetorical analysis. The analysis should have three parts: an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. Divide the main body of the analysis into sections. The sections may be devoted to the different rhetorical elements used in the text. You can devote the first section to examining the context of the argument, another to the author’s attitude and tone, another to the rhetorical strategies (analyzing the author’s tone), and another to the persuasive appeals.

Structure
Introduction: In the introduction, do not forget to introduce the article you will be analyzing. Give the name of the article and the author. Also, state where the article was published and what the main points were. Write a strong thesis sentence that clearly states the main points of the analysis. Outline the steps of your argument in the last one or two sentences of the introduction.

Body: Present the different elements of your analysis (context, author’s attitude and tone, modes of persuasion, and rhetorical strategies) in the main body of the paper. Cite examples from the text as evidence for your analysis. Keep in mind that any of the four sections may be more than one paragraph. It depends on your analysis. For example, if you feel that the modes of persuasion are crucial to understanding the article, then you may decide to devote more than one paragraph to that section. This may be true for any of the four sections of the essay. Write as many paragraphs as needed, but make sure that each paragraph has proper structure (topic sentence and supporting detail).

Conclusion: Write a one paragraph conclusion that summarizes the central points of the analysis. Summarize the main points and do not make any new claims.

Review this template as one way to set up your essay.

Essay Checklist:

• Works Cited page (which cites the speech)
• Proper essay structure (Explanation can be found within the Essay Resources Module).
• Proper MLA formatting and documentation. Some of the guidelines are mentioned above (double-spaced, etc.). The information in Module Two will be a helpful review of MLA guidelines. If you need additional help with MLA, please let me know or go to one of the FSW Writing Centers.
• You need at least five textual references (quotes) supporting your main points.
• If you use outside sources, cite them on a works cited page as well as within the text.
• Do not refer to the author by his or her first name.
• Careful editing and revising.
• Careful reading and viewing of all assignment resources.

Rubric

Rhetorical Analysis Rubric

Rhetorical Analysis Rubric

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writer summarizes the central claim of the article as well as the author’s purpose.	20 pts Achieves Excellence 14.28 pts Exceeds Expectations 11.42 pts Meets Expectations 5.72 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writer identifies and discusses the author’s audience and the context of the article.	10 pts Achieves Excellence 7.14 pts Exceeds Expectations 5.71 pts Meets Expectations 2.86 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writer analyzes the author’s claims, evidence, and reasoning, including the stakes of the author’s argument.	20 pts Achieves Excellence 14.28 pts Exceeds Expectations 11.42 pts Meets Expectations 5.72 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writer demonstrates reading comprehension and critical thinking.	10 pts Achieves Excellence 7.14 pts Exceeds Expectations 5.71 pts Meets Expectations 2.86 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writer has a thesis statement supported with evidence from the text.	15 pts Achieves Excellence 12.5 pts Exceeds Expectations 10.01 pts Meets Expectations 5 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe author effectively uses summary, paraphrase, and direct quotation from the article as support for his or her claims.	10 pts Achieves Excellence 8.33 pts Exceeds Expectations 6.67 pts Meets Expectations 3.33 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe essay adheres to MLA guidelines for formatting, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page.	15 pts Achieves Excellence 12 pts Exceeds Expectations 9 pts Meets Expectations 6 pts Needs Work 0 pts Does Not Meet Expectations	15 pts
Total Points: 100