How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

For rhetorical analysis essays, we analyze how a writer makes rhetorical choices to:

develop an argument, achieve a purpose, or convey a message

Rhetorical choice:

What the writer is doing

Examples of rhetorically accurate verbs:

repeats, describes, provides examples, compares, contrasts, flatters, criticizes, condemns, justifies, rallies

Body paragraphs of rhetorical analysis essays include:

evidence and commentary

Evidence of rhetorical analysis essays could be in the format of:

direct quote (short) or paraphrase

What to include in commentary part of rhetorical analysis essays?

Explaining significance of evidence / how it proves the thesis, connect to rhetorical situation (why did the writer make this choice for this audience at this occasion?)

How to include quotes in rhetorical analysis essays?

Include in sentences

Should evidence or commentary be more?

Commentary

What should you do before even writing the rhetorical analysis essay?

Annotate prompt

What to annotate in prompt?

Writer or speaker (and their credentials), audience (typically stated for speeches and letters), passage type (letter, speech, article), context/exigence, purpose/message/argument

Types of speeches:

conventions, commencement speeches, eulogies, inaugural addresses, State of the Union

How to identify context and exigence from prompt:

look at dates and see if passage was in response to an event happening at the time or if the person was invited to speak at a certain event

What to do as you are reading the passage?

Annotate it

What to annotate as you are reading through the passage?

underline lines and write down rhetorical device next to it and why it is used (think about author’s ultimate goal)

How to divide the passage into sections?

Look for shifts in topic, choices, tone

Why is dividing passage into sections important?

Allows you to analyze rhetorical choices chronologically

Elements to include in outline:

thesis, body paragraph 1 main idea (a purpose), evidence, commentary (choose 2 rhetorical choices for evidence and commentary for each main idea) (repeat 2-4 for other 2 body paragraphs), concluding sentence (tie back to thesis)

Repetition goes well with what rhetorical devices?

Word choices, listing

What to include in introductory paragraph?

Context and thesis

Thesis includes:

specific rhetorical choices and purpose/argument/message

Thesis statement framework:

In his/her (tone) (adjective) speech/letter/article to (audience) writer does (choice 1) and (choice 2) in order to (purpose)

Questions to ask when analyzing relationship between rhetorical choice and situation in body paragraph:

Why does the author make this choice for this audience on this occasion? How does the choice help to develop an argument, achieve a purpose, or convey a message? Why is this choice effective at this point in the passage?

Should you say “writer” or “speaker” or “audience” in your essay?

No, name the person/people

How to create a line of reasoning in body paragraphs?

Include transition between layers of evidence within a paragraph and between paragraphs

Sentence frame for bridge between paragraphs:

Having already established (main idea of previous paragraph), (writer) develops his/her argument/message by (main idea of current paragraph)

Do you need a concluding paragraph?

Not necessarily

What to include in concluding paragraph:

Rewrite thesis (but not verbatim), situate issue in broader context (was the speaker successful or not, what events resulted from this), state what would happen if audience listen or don’t listen to the message, how does message relate to society today