2. Task
Unlike argument or synthesis, this is not a
debate paper.
Task of the essay is to analyze the
methods employs in the writing to convey
attitude, opinion, and conviction about the
topic.
You must talk about how the author’s
argument is created. What tools do they
use to gain their reader’s agreement?
3. 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.”
4. Some Things NOT to Do
Do NOT summarize the
author’s essay. You must
discuss strategies the author uses!!!
5. What You NEED to Do
“Discuss the author’s attitude toward the
subject and the strategies the author
employed to achieve their purpose.”
Read to determine the author’s attitude
Identify techniques used to develop the
argument
6. 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?
8. Organize your paper in the following order:
INTRODUCTION
Begin with a hook/attention grabber
Introduce your text and author, describe briefly
the argument you are analyzing, and supply the
necessary background
State you thesis as the last sentences
(sentences) of the introduction paragraph
Steps to Writing a rhetorical Analysis
9. Intro format
Hook
introduce author and title
mention tone range
mention appeal
mention 3 techniques to be analyzed
end with the compound thesis (purpose)
10. Thesis Statements
Thesisormula:
Example:
Child labor laws have been a controversial
topic throughout time. Florence Kelley
addresses this in her indignantly critical yet
informative speech given to the National
Association for Women’s Suffrage. She sets
out to emotionally persuades her audience in
her speech. Through the use of parallelism,
rhetorical questioning and imagery, Kelley
advocates for changes to child labor laws.
11. Topic sentences must link
back to the thesis.
One technique per paragraph
Mix in tone and appeal with a
body paragraph of choice
BODY PARAGRAPHS FOR ANALYZING
THE CONTEXT
12. Summarizing the argument
Discuss the following ideas in this paragraph(s):
--Topic sentence, relate first technique to the
thesis
-Lead in to the technique with some background
detail
--cite the technique
--Analyze the technique in 2+ sentences
-Conclude
BODY PARAGRAPHS FOR ANALYZING
THE TEXT
13. What rhetorical appeals are used?
In a separate paragraph, analyze the author’s
use of one of these: ethos, pathos, and logos.
ANALYZING THE TEXT CONTD.
14. How would you characterize the tone? Discuss the
following ideas in one paragraph:
ANALYZING THE TEXT
15. Summarize your main points
End with an example that typifies the argument
Remind readers what your thesis is
CONCLUSION
