Homework: English Composition
Analyzing a Written Rhetorical Text
Purpose of homework: To analyze the rhetoric of an op-ed or argumentative piece.
Procedure: You selected an argumentative article from a well-known news source to summarize. This week, you will write a rhetorical analysis of the same article. Your rhetorical analysis should address the following questions:
1) What is the main point? How does the author support this point or make it convincing? How do these attempts to support the point further the author's purpose?
2) What sort of character (ethos) does the author create through the text? What are all the ways the author uses to build credibility? How do these attempts to build credibility further the author's purpose?
3) How does the author appeal to the audience's emotions (pathos)? What are the emotions? How do these emotional appeals further his or her purpose?
4) Does the author appeal to the reader's logic (logos) or timeliness (kairos)? How? How do these appeals further his or her purpose?
5) What tone or style does the author use? Is the language formal or informal? What do you notice about word choice and the arrangement of ideas? Are certain words repeated? What effect does this tone and style create? How does it further his or her purpose?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.