Comparative Rhetorical Analysis 

  • A breakdown of the arguments presented in two different works which ultimately determines which piece is more likely to fulfill its purpose
    • For this easy, you will be comparing two essays, articles, etc. to discuss how they are similar or different
    • Comparison
      • A comparison makes a point by discussing the similarities between two or more topics. A contrast makes a point by discussing the differences between two or more topics
      • To support a point through comparison or contrast, a writer identifies the comparable points of the topic, offers relevant and concrete descriptions and examples for each comparable point, and effectively uses coordination and subordination of ideas
  • Thesis

  1. Identify two articles

  2. Establish connection between them

  3. Identify which one is more persuasive

    1. Ex. 

      1. While both Jack and Jill present expert testimony regarding their claims, Jack is more adept at playing on  the audience’s sympathy, which makes them more likely to take his course of action

        1.  it's not the topic, it's the message that it is presenting, is it convincing. How is one more convincing than the other.  

  4. Elements to include

  • The writer/speaker

  • The intended audience

  • The form of communication/genre (essay, editorial, letter, speech etc.)

  • The principal tone of the piece

  • A summary of the writer’s/ speaker’s arguments

  • A statement of the writer’s/speaker’s purpose (i.e inform, convince, persuade, explore etc.)

  • Explain why one article is more persuasive than the other

  • Prewriting

    • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each article
    • Determine how the tone, structure, and organization of each article makes it more or less effective
    • Determine if sufficient evidence is presented to support the author’s claim

  • Outline

    • Determine how you will structure your own argument about these two works
    • Present sufficient evidence (quotes and paraphrases to prove) your own argument about these works
    • Find an interesting way to open your essay
    • Create a “so-what“ to conclude your essay 

  • DON'TS

    • Do not write about the “topic” of the article
    • You should not talk about whether you agree or disagree with the articles’ messages
    • You do not need to define logos, ethos, pathos, rhetoric, comparative analysis, or any other word unless you honestly think the reader would not know what it means
    • Do not simply summary the articles