Essay : Rhetorical Analysis
This is the assignment sheet for your first major essay. Study it carefully. Use it as your guide.
Formatting & Length Requirement
Compose an essay that is three full pages in length and no more than four full pages (plus MLA works cited page) that offers a rhetorical analysis of a selected article (provided below). Use the MLA Citation Style (8th edition) guidelines in order to format the document and document sources.
Audience
Educated readers expecting an unbiased, accurate, comprehensive summary of the source's ideas and a rhetorical analysis that wallows in complexity and offers insight. This audience expects your essay to apply the conventions of closed-form prose.
Purpose
To analyze an author's rhetorical choices
Genre
Rhetorical Analysis
Essay Assignment
Select one of the readings just below. In response to your chosen reading, compose a rhetorical analysis essay that incorporates:
A. The essay framework provided on pg. 2 of this document;
B. A 150-200-word summary of the reading,
C. Focused analysis of the reading's rhetorical situation and the author's use of rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, andpathos). Select any two of the three rhetorical appeals for this analysis essay.
Select One of the Following Readings to Analyze for Essay 1
• Option 1: "Veterans Need More Than Your Thanks"
• Option 2: "My Selfie, Myself"
Some Help
Revisit Concepts 1.2, 3.1, and 3.2 before you attempt this essay. They are the main concepts you will apply.
Study Skills 18.4, 18.5, 18.6, 18.7, and 18.8 as well as the MEAL Paragraph Strategy
Here are two sample rhetorical analysis thesis statements; use them as guides:
• Notice how each thesis names the author and article and makes clear analytical points about the article through its rhetorical appeals:
o In "The Shape of Things to Come," Javier Li relies on research and reasoning from facts to build credibility and uses anecdotes to move readers' emotionally.
o In "Vampire Weekend," Samaira Patel chooses diction and examples that provoke readers into acting on her call-to-action.
Here are two sample rhetorical analysis topic sentences; use them as guides:
• Notice how each topic sentence makes a clear claim that presents a single main idea:
o Three stirring anecdotes make up Li's appeals to pathos.
o Patel's attempt to enrage her readers becomes clear in a few provocative word choices.
Here is one possible framework for a rhetorical analysis essay; use it as a guide:
Notice that this essay is organized by rhetorical appeal. The writer has tackled each appeal in its own paragraph.
• Introduction Paragraph (at least 8-10 sentences)
o Introduce readers to the topic or problem the text addresses
o Introduce readers to the text you will critique and its author
o Break down the text's rhetorical situation
o State the thesis sentence as the last sentence of the introduction paragraph; Present your analytical thesis about rhetorical appeals (and perhaps angle of vision, too)
• Summary Paragraph (between 150-200 words)
o Summarizes the text in 150-200 words. The summary is a balanced, accurate, concise, and neutral presentation of main points.
Select any two of the three rhetorical appeals for analysis. Develop the selected two appeals into body paragraphs that follow the format provided below:
• Body Section 1: Logos Paragraph(s)
o Topic Sentence: Presents an analytical claim about the author's use of logos
? Presents first example from text to support claim
• Analyzes and explains the example to show exactly how it supports the claim
? Presents second example from text to support claim
• Analyzes and explains the example to show exactly how it supports the claim
? Continue as needed with further examples and analysis and explanations of them...
• Body Section 2: Ethos Paragraph(s)
o Same paragraph development as Body Section 1
• Body Section 3: Pathos Paragraph(s)
o Same paragraph development as Body Sections 1 and 2
• Conclusion Paragraph
o Wraps up the analysis briefly to leave readers thinking about both the source text and the writer's response to it. Does not summarize the writer's essay or restate the thesis.