Elements of Rhetorical Analysis

ENGL 111Module 6

What is rhetoric?rhet·o·ricnoun \ˈre-tə-rik\ : the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people

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!”

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?

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?

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

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)

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?

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

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?

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.

And don’t forget to analyze the title of your core reading!

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.!

Brief overview of rhetorical appeals Ethos Pathos Logos

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?

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Works Cited“Rhetoric.” Merriam Webster, 2017,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.