Rhetorical AnalysisRhetorical Analysis

How to Get That Elusive 9How to Get That Elusive 9

Learning TargetLearning Target

I can analyze a text using elements I can analyze a text using elements of the rhetorical web.of the rhetorical web.

I can connect rhetorical strategies to I can connect rhetorical strategies to an author’s overall purpose and an author’s overall purpose and argument.argument.

BasicsBasics

You get a short piece of writing to You get a short piece of writing to readread

You get directions telling you how to You get directions telling you how to analyze that piece of writinganalyze that piece of writing

You read the piece carefullyYou read the piece carefully You write an insightful essay You write an insightful essay

analyzing specific elements of the analyzing specific elements of the writingwriting

ScoringScoring

9 is the best9 is the best 1 is the worst1 is the worst 0 or –0 or –

Reading Comes FirstReading Comes First

Read the Read the directionsdirections! ***! ***

Always read for Always read for purpose and tonepurpose and tone

Annotate while you Annotate while you read.read.

Read through the Read through the prompt twice & prompt twice & create a brief create a brief outline b4 you outline b4 you writewrite

The DirectionsThe Directions

In an article first appearing in In an article first appearing in Time Time MagazineMagazine, James Poniewozik offers a , James Poniewozik offers a solution for what he considers our solution for what he considers our society’s prevalent, but empty, society’s prevalent, but empty, happiness. Read this selection from happiness. Read this selection from “The Art of Unhappiness” carefully. “The Art of Unhappiness” carefully. Then write an essay in which you Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical techniques analyze the rhetorical techniques Poniewozik uses to convey the value Poniewozik uses to convey the value of art for our society. of art for our society.

Introducing…Introducing…

Don’t waste time!Don’t waste time! Historical context or Historical context or

the big picturethe big picture Mention the author Mention the author

and title when and title when available.available.

Thesis statement= Thesis statement= overall point &major overall point &major techniques (link back techniques (link back to directions!)to directions!)

Sample IntroductionSample Introduction The most intelligent people in the world would The most intelligent people in the world would

readily admit that wisdom doesn’t always bring readily admit that wisdom doesn’t always bring happiness. In fact, the more we reflect on our happiness. In fact, the more we reflect on our own position in the universe, the more we own position in the universe, the more we question our future and our purpose. James question our future and our purpose. James Poniewozik contemplates these same issues in his Poniewozik contemplates these same issues in his article “The Art of Unhappiness.” However, article “The Art of Unhappiness.” However, instead of describing the parallel between instead of describing the parallel between learning and sadness, he explores the depressing learning and sadness, he explores the depressing side of art. Through his light, sometimes facetious side of art. Through his light, sometimes facetious tone and colorful imagery, he shows us that the tone and colorful imagery, he shows us that the darker arts may be just what the doctor ordered darker arts may be just what the doctor ordered for our “happy” society.for our “happy” society.

The BodyThe Body

Use topic and closing sentences to Use topic and closing sentences to relate back to the prompt’s purpose.relate back to the prompt’s purpose.

Option 1: Organize by the main Option 1: Organize by the main points you want to bring up.points you want to bring up.

Option 2: Organize by techniques.Option 2: Organize by techniques. Option 3: Chronological. Careful!Option 3: Chronological. Careful!

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Analyze the Analyze the prompt’s prompt’s conclusion in your conclusion in your conclusion.conclusion.

Restate the Restate the author’s purpose. author’s purpose.

Give a sense of Give a sense of closure.closure.

Doesn’t have to be Doesn’t have to be long!long!

Rhetoric & Rhetorical Web!Rhetoric & Rhetorical Web!

You can discuss:You can discuss:– 3 rhetorical questions3 rhetorical questions– The Rhetorical SituationThe Rhetorical Situation– ModesModes– Anything from rhetorical webAnything from rhetorical web

Style TipsStyle Tips

SHOW, don’t tellSHOW, don’t tell Relate everything back to purposeRelate everything back to purpose Don’t mention a technique if you Don’t mention a technique if you

don’t know why it’s theredon’t know why it’s there Don’t worry too much about Don’t worry too much about

technical names.technical names. Stitch and weaveStitch and weave

SHOW, don’t tellSHOW, don’t tell

Not this…Not this…– Johnson really uses pathos in his third Johnson really uses pathos in his third

paragraph.paragraph. But this…But this…

– Using abstract words such as “freedom” Using abstract words such as “freedom” and “dignity,” Johnson reels in his and “dignity,” Johnson reels in his audience, grabbing them intellectually audience, grabbing them intellectually as well as emotionally.as well as emotionally.

Relate Everything to PurposeRelate Everything to Purpose

Not this…Not this…– In his 2In his 2ndnd paragraph, Millikin uses anaphora paragraph, Millikin uses anaphora

several times.several times. But this…But this…

– As Millikin calls for unity among all nations, he As Millikin calls for unity among all nations, he uses anaphora to emphasize the need for all uses anaphora to emphasize the need for all nations to come together.nations to come together.

– As Millikin calls for unity among all nations, he As Millikin calls for unity among all nations, he uses a succession of “we must” clauses to uses a succession of “we must” clauses to emphasize the necessity of unity.emphasize the necessity of unity.

Talking About StyleTalking About Style

Only mention a particular stylistic Only mention a particular stylistic technique if it adds something technique if it adds something unique to that particular text.unique to that particular text.– Ex: Any author can use anaphora once. Ex: Any author can use anaphora once.

It’s worth talking about if anaphora It’s worth talking about if anaphora makes a powerful impact and it clearly makes a powerful impact and it clearly relates to the purpose of the piece.relates to the purpose of the piece.

Stitch and WeaveStitch and Weave

Not this…Not this…– ““Laughing, crying, running, sleeping, breathing Laughing, crying, running, sleeping, breathing

are all human actions, human emotions, that are all human actions, human emotions, that make us alive.” This quote uses parallel make us alive.” This quote uses parallel structure to make its point.structure to make its point.

But this…But this…– To support his point that humans are complex To support his point that humans are complex

creatures, Brown creates a parallel string of creatures, Brown creates a parallel string of human actions: “laughing, crying, running, human actions: “laughing, crying, running, sleeping, breathing.”sleeping, breathing.”

More Stitching and WeavingMore Stitching and Weaving

Not this…Not this…– ““We as Americans need to stand up for We as Americans need to stand up for

our rights and fight for our freedoms.” our rights and fight for our freedoms.” This emotional call would clearly have This emotional call would clearly have an affect on Jameson’s audience.an affect on Jameson’s audience.

But this…But this…– Jameson calls for Americans to “stand Jameson calls for Americans to “stand

up for [their] rights and fight for [their] up for [their] rights and fight for [their] freedoms,” stirring his audience to freedoms,” stirring his audience to action.action.