2. What is rhetoric?
rhet·o·ric
noun ˈre-tə-rik : the art or skill of speaking or writing formally
and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence
people
3. What is the purpose of rhetoric?
Here are just some purposes of rhetoric.
The purpose of rhetoric is to use language effectively to
get readers…
to agree
to believe something (change their minds)
to do something (take action)
to learn something new
to be entertained
to trust the writer
to admire the writer
to see the writer as a “credible guide”
to focus on what the writer things is important and overlook
what the writer thinks is unimportant
to be convinced by logic and evidence
to be swayed by emotion
to say to friends and family members: “You’ve got to read
this!”
4. In other words…rhetoric is the art
of using language to achieve
results!
Look at the pictures below and on the next slide.
What do you think the people in each picture are saying, and
what are they trying to achieve?
How successful do you think they will be? Why or why not?
What do you think they could say to be even more
successful?
5.
6. What is rhetorical analysis?
Rhetorical analysis is the analysis of the effective use of language in any
kind of written texts (books, advertisements, articles, core readings, and
even text messages).
See example above from “He Texted,” a website which analyzes post-date
text messages. Is he into her or not?
7. Rhetorical analysis builds on
Summary/Response and Critical
Rereading
We need to understand and digest a reading first
before we can analyze it effectively.
• Summarize
• Respond
• Reread
• Analyze
8. Rhetorical analysis asks HOW
and WHY
After you have grasped the WHAT in a
reading (Summary)….
…you are ready to think about the HOW and
the WHY (Rhetorical Analysis)
9. Consider these different “takes”
on President Obama!
HOW are different impressions created?
WHY did the creator of the image choose to
depict Obama this way?
10.
11. Preparing for the first draft of
Writing Project 2, Rhetorical
Analysis
Review your critical rereading notes from
Modules 3 and 4 Discussion
Key points
Interesting or confusing details
Questions and reactions
Questions about the author, the type of writing,
the rhetorical context, the content, and the
language
12. Preparing for the first draft of
Writing Project 2, Rhetorical
Analysis
What new reactions do you have to the core
reading?
What new questions do you have about the
core reading?
What patterns do you see in how the writer
presents his/her information?
Do you trust this writer? Why or why not?
Does the writer convince you to see things
his/her way? Why or why not?
13. Some elements to consider:
The Rhetorical Situation
Audience, time, place, purpose
Content
Arguments, evidence, reasoning
Persuasive appeals: Ethical, emotional, logical
Structure
How the reading is divided
Order
What is included, what is left out
Language and style
Figurative language
Voice, tone, diction
“Inartistic proofs”
Extras like photos, links, embedded videos or podcasts, etc.
15. Think about the different impacts
of these titles:
“How I Bluffed My Way through College”
“Why We Love War”
“The Coming Era of Energy Disasters”
“Weight Loss Diets: Are They All the Same?”
“How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
“Does the Internet Make You Dumber?”
Which title seems most intriguing? Most
provocative? Most informative? Most neutral? Most
inviting? Most controversial? Most non-threatening?
Most personal? Most catchy? Etc.!
17. Rhetorical appeals continued
• Logos—Logic. Focus on reasoning, facts, evidence,
examples, statistics, case studies, logical
arguments, readers’ intellect
• Pathos—”Pathetic.” Focus on emotions, vivid
pictures and imagery, personal stories, readers’
heart
• Ethos—Ethics. Focus on fairness, balance,
credibility, readers’ sense of trustworthiness
• Effective arguments often use all three appeals!
• How does the writer of your core reading appeal to
head, heart, and trust?
18. Rhetoric has many elements….
…and your draft can focus on only a few elements that
you think are most important, most (or least) effective,
or most interesting.
You’ll need to reread, brainstorm, and choose your
focus!
19. Thesis statements for Rhetorical
Analysis
Make a claim about the effectiveness (in influencing or
persuading readers) of one or more significant features
of your chosen core reading
20. Sample thesis statements for
Rhetorical Analysis
While the article is written primarily with the intent
of changing the skeptical minds of conservative
Christians, it may also further the commitment of
those who already are well aware of the negative
effects of global warming and are already striving
to make changes to improve this situation.
With “Does the Internet Make You Dumber,” Carr
follows in well-tread footsteps by using fear tactics
and a healthy dose of condescension to disparage
the new ways while simultaneously elevating the
old.
21. Sample thesis statements for
Rhetorical Analysis, continued
Overall, Parsons uses ethos, logos, and pathos
effectively to show good sources for the
information he has given, to instruct his readers
on the outcomes of inaction on climate change,
and to terrify them to make a change.
Acaroglu encourages all to think outside the box
on even the simplest everyday items. With her
descriptive examples and clear arguments, she
may or may just make you rethink that old piece of
lettuce you are about to throw away.
22. Steps to remember:
Review your Critical Rereading posts from Modules 3
and 4 Discussion (and read the whole board for ideas!)
Review Chapter 8 in your textbook (“Conducting
Rhetorical Analysis”)
Reread your core reading, looking for the HOW and
WHY
Decide on your focus
Come up with a working thesis statement
Write your draft, supporting your thesis with specific
examples from the core reading
Don’t forget to find and use a secondary source from the
Ivy Tech Virtual Library to back up your claims about the
core reading.
23. Every rhetorical analysis is
different
Have fun finding and explaining what YOU
see as the most significant aspects of your
chosen core reading!
Your readers will learn a lot about the core
reading from your analysis—and you will learn
a lot from theirs.