Assignment Problem: Academic Argument Extended Paragraph - Rhetorical Analysis Outline
Now that you have written a summary of the article "This Boat Is My Boat" in which you focused solely on the content, it is time to examine the rhetoric used by the author, Drew Hayden Taylor.
A rhetorical analysis is what the name implies - a close reading and analysis of the rhetoric used in a particular piece of writing. While examining how an author uses rhetoric, you are also able to incorporate your opinion (to an extent) as you identify and critique the effectiveness of using logic, credibility, and emotion.
Task: Analyze the reading, "This Boat Is My Boat". How does the author, Drew Hayden Taylor, use rhetoric to strengthen his main idea (and what is that)? Focus only on one type of rhetorical appeal (logic, emotion, or credibility).
Instructions: Complete the following outline based on the topic above. Provide a thesis statement (complete sentence), and in point form, highlight which techniques have been used for the specific type of rhetorical appeal you have chosen to examine. Provide a brief description of each technique (point-form is acceptable here). Also include a paraphrased thesis (same meaning of original thesis but different words).
I. Thesis
II. Logical appeal:
- Facts
- Examples (various types)
- Statistics
- Experiments
- Case studies
- Analogies and logical reasoning
- Citation of experts' opinion
- Answering opposition
III. Credibility appeal:
- Personal anecdotes
- Examples illustrating deep knowledge of the issue
- Citation of experts' opinion
- Testimony of those having first-hand knowledge of/experience with the issue
- Answering opposition
IV. Emotional appeal:
- Personal anecdotes
- Narratives
- Impact studies
- Testimony of those having first-hand knowledge of/experience with the issue
- Answering opposition
V. Conclusion: paraphrased thesis