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Rhetorical AnalysisRhetorical Analysis

Critical Reading and WritingCritical Reading and Writing

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When you are asked to do a "rhetorical analysis" of a When you are asked to do a "rhetorical analysis" of a text, you are being asked to apply your critical text, you are being asked to apply your critical reading skills to break down the "whole" of the text reading skills to break down the "whole" of the text into the sum of its "parts." into the sum of its "parts."

– Determine what the writer is trying to achieve, and what Determine what the writer is trying to achieve, and what writing strategies he or she is using to try to achieve it. writing strategies he or she is using to try to achieve it.

Reading critically means more than just being moved, Reading critically means more than just being moved, affected, informed, influenced, and persuaded by a affected, informed, influenced, and persuaded by a piece of writing. piece of writing.

Reading critically also means analyzing and Reading critically also means analyzing and understanding how the work has achieved its effect. understanding how the work has achieved its effect.

Critical ReadingCritical Reading

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What’s in a question?What’s in a question?

On the next slides is a list of questions to ask On the next slides is a list of questions to ask when beginning to analyze a piece of prose. when beginning to analyze a piece of prose.

These questions can be used to simply read These questions can be used to simply read the text rather than write a formal analysis the text rather than write a formal analysis (a sample of detailed formal analysis follows (a sample of detailed formal analysis follows later in this section). later in this section).

Keep in mind that the writer does not need Keep in mind that the writer does not need to apply all of these questions to every text. to apply all of these questions to every text. This list is simply one method for getting This list is simply one method for getting started on reading (and then writing) more started on reading (and then writing) more critically.critically.

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Questions to ask for CRQuestions to ask for CR

What is the general subject? Does the subject mean What is the general subject? Does the subject mean anything to you? Does it bring up any personal anything to you? Does it bring up any personal associations? Is the subject a controversial one? associations? Is the subject a controversial one?    

What is the thesis (the overall main point)? How does What is the thesis (the overall main point)? How does the thesis interpret/comment on the subject?the thesis interpret/comment on the subject?   

What is the tone of the text? Do you react at an What is the tone of the text? Do you react at an emotional level to the text? Does this reaction change emotional level to the text? Does this reaction change at all throughout the text?at all throughout the text?   

What is the writers' purpose? To explain? To inform? To What is the writers' purpose? To explain? To inform? To anger? Persuade? Amuse? Motivate? Sadden? anger? Persuade? Amuse? Motivate? Sadden? Ridicule? Is there more than one purpose? Does the Ridicule? Is there more than one purpose? Does the purpose shift at all throughout the text?purpose shift at all throughout the text?

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Questions to ask for CRQuestions to ask for CR

How does the writer develop his/her ideas? How does the writer develop his/her ideas? Narration? Description? Definition? Comparison? Narration? Description? Definition? Comparison? Analogy? Cause and Effect? Example? Why does Analogy? Cause and Effect? Example? Why does the writer use these methods of development?the writer use these methods of development?   

How does the writer arrange his/her ideas? What How does the writer arrange his/her ideas? What are the patterns of arrangement? Particular to are the patterns of arrangement? Particular to general? Broad to specific? Spatial? general? Broad to specific? Spatial? Chronological? Alternating? Block?Chronological? Alternating? Block?   

Is the text unified and coherent? Are there Is the text unified and coherent? Are there adequate transitions? How do the transitions adequate transitions? How do the transitions work?work?

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Questions to ask for CRQuestions to ask for CR

What is the sentence structure like in the text? Does What is the sentence structure like in the text? Does the writer use fragments or run-ons? Declarative? the writer use fragments or run-ons? Declarative? Imperative? Interrogative? Exclamatory? Are they Imperative? Interrogative? Exclamatory? Are they simple? Compound? Complex? Compound-complex? simple? Compound? Complex? Compound-complex? Short? Long? Loose? Periodic? Balanced? Parallel? Short? Long? Loose? Periodic? Balanced? Parallel? Are there any patterns in the sentence structure? Are there any patterns in the sentence structure? Can you make any connections between the Can you make any connections between the patterns and the writers' purpose?patterns and the writers' purpose?

Does the writer use dialogue? Quotations? To what Does the writer use dialogue? Quotations? To what effect?effect?   

How does the writer use diction? Is it formal? Informal? How does the writer use diction? Is it formal? Informal? Technical? Jargon? Slang? Is the language connotative? Technical? Jargon? Slang? Is the language connotative? Denotative? Is the language emotionally evocative? Does Denotative? Is the language emotionally evocative? Does the language change throughout the piece? How does the language change throughout the piece? How does the language contribute to the writers' aim?the language contribute to the writers' aim?

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Questions to ask for CRQuestions to ask for CR

Is there anything unusual in the writers' use of Is there anything unusual in the writers' use of punctuation? What punctuation or other punctuation? What punctuation or other techniques of emphasis (italics, capitals, techniques of emphasis (italics, capitals, underlining, ellipses, parentheses) does the underlining, ellipses, parentheses) does the writer use? Is punctuation over- or under used? writer use? Is punctuation over- or under used? Which marks does the writer use when, and for Which marks does the writer use when, and for what effects? Dashes to create a hasty what effects? Dashes to create a hasty breathlessness? Semi-colons for balance or breathlessness? Semi-colons for balance or contrast? contrast?

Are important terms repeated throughout the text? Are important terms repeated throughout the text? Why? Why?

Are there any particularly vivid images that stand Are there any particularly vivid images that stand out? What effect do these images have on the out? What effect do these images have on the writers' purpose?writers' purpose?

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Questions to ask for CRQuestions to ask for CR

Are devices of comparison used to convey or Are devices of comparison used to convey or enhance meaning? Which tropes--similes, enhance meaning? Which tropes--similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, etc. does metaphors, personification, hyperbole, etc. does the writer use? When does he/she use them? the writer use? When does he/she use them? Why?Why?   

Does the writer use devices of humor? Puns? Does the writer use devices of humor? Puns? Irony? Sarcasm? Understatement? Parody? Is the Irony? Sarcasm? Understatement? Parody? Is the effect comic relief? Pleasure? Hysteria? Ridicule?effect comic relief? Pleasure? Hysteria? Ridicule?

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Rhetorical AnalysisRhetorical Analysis

While the term "rhetorical analysis" is, at first, While the term "rhetorical analysis" is, at first, rather intimidating for many people, it is easily rather intimidating for many people, it is easily understood (at least at its most basic) when understood (at least at its most basic) when broken down and defined.broken down and defined.

– Rhetoric: The art of persuasionRhetoric: The art of persuasion

– Analysis: The breaking down of some thing into its Analysis: The breaking down of some thing into its parts and interpreting how those parts fit together.parts and interpreting how those parts fit together.

In rhetorical analysis, then, we examine how In rhetorical analysis, then, we examine how authors attempt to persuade their audiences by authors attempt to persuade their audiences by looking at the various components that make up looking at the various components that make up the art of persuasion.the art of persuasion.

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Components of RhetoricComponents of Rhetoric

Although there are certainly many different Although there are certainly many different viewpoints regarding what, exactly, rhetoric viewpoints regarding what, exactly, rhetoric is, it is quite often divided into the following is, it is quite often divided into the following general areas:general areas:– 1. Purpose: What is the author attempting to do with 1. Purpose: What is the author attempting to do with

his/her work? Understanding the intended purpose of a his/her work? Understanding the intended purpose of a text is the first (and crucial) step in a deeper text is the first (and crucial) step in a deeper understanding of the text and authorunderstanding of the text and author

– 2. Audience: Who is the text written for? Obviously, an 2. Audience: Who is the text written for? Obviously, an author's intended reader plays a large role in how the author's intended reader plays a large role in how the author appeals to the audience. An audience consisting author appeals to the audience. An audience consisting of children, for example, calls for very different of children, for example, calls for very different strategies than an audience of economistsstrategies than an audience of economists

– 3. The Appeals: Aristotle, when referring to the 3. The Appeals: Aristotle, when referring to the strategies that writers use in their texts, discusses three strategies that writers use in their texts, discusses three main groups: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.main groups: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

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Three Rhetorical Styles Three Rhetorical Styles

Ethos: The Ethical appeal does NOT refer strictly to Ethos: The Ethical appeal does NOT refer strictly to ethics. The ethical appeal, instead refers to the ethics. The ethical appeal, instead refers to the credibility, character,and confidence of a writer. credibility, character,and confidence of a writer. There are a number of ways in which an author may There are a number of ways in which an author may establish ethical appeal.establish ethical appeal.

Pathos: Pathos is often referred to as the the Pathos: Pathos is often referred to as the the emotional appeal, although it may certainly go emotional appeal, although it may certainly go beyond emotion. Examples of pathos include the use beyond emotion. Examples of pathos include the use of emotion-laden words, the use of description, and of emotion-laden words, the use of description, and the use of repetition.the use of repetition.

Logos: The logical appeal refers to the use of Logos: The logical appeal refers to the use of reasoning to appeal to the reader. Examples of this reasoning to appeal to the reader. Examples of this include the use of definitions, statistics, law, and include the use of definitions, statistics, law, and comparisons.comparisons.

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EthosEthos

Acme GizmotronicsAcme Gizmotronics, the company that , the company that you've trusted for over 100 years, has you've trusted for over 100 years, has recently entered the World Wide Web! Now recently entered the World Wide Web! Now you can purchase our fine products through you can purchase our fine products through the internet. Our quality gizmos, widgets, the internet. Our quality gizmos, widgets, and thingamabobs can be shipped to you and thingamabobs can be shipped to you within minutes. All come with the famous within minutes. All come with the famous lifetime guarantee that makes Acme the lifetime guarantee that makes Acme the company that the world depends on for it's company that the world depends on for it's gizmo needs.gizmo needs.

Our spokesperson, Mr. Coyote says "I'm not Our spokesperson, Mr. Coyote says "I'm not really a coyote, but I play one on tv. I've really a coyote, but I play one on tv. I've used Acme products for years. Their used Acme products for years. Their slingshots, rocket launchers, crowbars, pogo slingshots, rocket launchers, crowbars, pogo sticks, and power pills are the best around. sticks, and power pills are the best around. And don't forget their high-powered And don't forget their high-powered dynamite! I buy everything from Acme. dynamite! I buy everything from Acme. They are the company that I trust the most." They are the company that I trust the most."

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ethosethos

ACMEACME is currently supporting research into a is currently supporting research into a form of clean, ultra-efficient, cesium-based form of clean, ultra-efficient, cesium-based power that promises to usher in a new power that promises to usher in a new period of cheap, globally available power. period of cheap, globally available power. Based on a small island off the coast of Based on a small island off the coast of Costa Rica, Costa Rica, ACME Technology ResearchACME Technology Research is is one of our most significant divisions. one of our most significant divisions.

Interested in learning more about Interested in learning more about ACMEACME? ? We thought you might be.We thought you might be.

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Back to reality - EthosBack to reality - Ethos

ACME is not a real company, contrary to ACME is not a real company, contrary to popular belief. It's something we made popular belief. It's something we made up to use as an example of Ethos. up to use as an example of Ethos.

The ACME homepage is an example of The ACME homepage is an example of ethos because of the way it keeps ethos because of the way it keeps referring back to the character of ACME. referring back to the character of ACME.

ACME is a company that "you have ACME is a company that "you have trusted for over 100 years." They even trusted for over 100 years." They even have a spokesperson vouching for their have a spokesperson vouching for their integrity.integrity.

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ACME's new dihydro-ACME's new dihydro-cesium detonation cesium detonation processprocess

By combining cesium and By combining cesium and dihydro-oxide in laboratory dihydro-oxide in laboratory conditions, and capturing conditions, and capturing the released energy, ACME the released energy, ACME has promised to lead the has promised to lead the way into the future. Our way into the future. Our energy source is clean, safe, energy source is clean, safe, and powerful. No pollutants and powerful. No pollutants are released into the are released into the atmosphere. The world will atmosphere. The world will soon have an excellent soon have an excellent source of clean energy.source of clean energy.

A typical example of energy A typical example of energy released from the dihydro-released from the dihydro-cesium process. cesium process.

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ACME's new dihydro-ACME's new dihydro-cesium detonation cesium detonation processprocess

ACME is currently working ACME is currently working towards a patent on our towards a patent on our process. Our scientists are process. Our scientists are exploring ways to use the exploring ways to use the process in cars, houses, process in cars, houses, airplanes, and almost anything airplanes, and almost anything else that needs power. ACME else that needs power. ACME batteries will be refitted with batteries will be refitted with small dihydro-cesium reactors. small dihydro-cesium reactors. Once the entire world is Once the entire world is powered by ACME's generators, powered by ACME's generators, we can all relax and enjoy a we can all relax and enjoy a much easier life. much easier life.

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Back to Reality - LogosBack to Reality - Logos

Logos is an argument based on logic or Logos is an argument based on logic or reason. reason.

The ACME Research page is primarily logos-The ACME Research page is primarily logos-based because it appeals to the reason of based because it appeals to the reason of people reading it. people reading it.

It suggests that Cesium will provide the It suggests that Cesium will provide the world's energy for a very long time. It is world's energy for a very long time. It is clean, safe, and efficient, all of which are clean, safe, and efficient, all of which are appeals to the logic of the audience. appeals to the logic of the audience.

By using such convincing reasons in its By using such convincing reasons in its argument, ACME hopes to provide the argument, ACME hopes to provide the world's energy. world's energy.

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Cesium-Based Reactor Cesium-Based Reactor Kills!Kills! A baby turtle breaks free from the leathery A baby turtle breaks free from the leathery

shell of its egg, catching its first glimpse of shell of its egg, catching its first glimpse of its first sunrise. It pauses a moment to rest, its first sunrise. It pauses a moment to rest, unaware of the danger that lies so close to it. unaware of the danger that lies so close to it.

As the tide comes in, approaching the nest, it As the tide comes in, approaching the nest, it also approaches a small pile of metal - also approaches a small pile of metal - cesium. The water draws closer and closer, cesium. The water draws closer and closer, the turtle unsuspecting of the danger. the turtle unsuspecting of the danger.

Finally, the water touches the cesium. The Finally, the water touches the cesium. The nest is torn to bits in the resulting explosion, nest is torn to bits in the resulting explosion, destroying even more of an endangered destroying even more of an endangered species. species.

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Cesium-Based Reactor Cesium-Based Reactor Kills!Kills!Why does this happen? One name: Why does this happen? One name: Acme.Acme.

Acme Gizmotronics is supporting a dihydro-Acme Gizmotronics is supporting a dihydro-cesium reactor, trying, in their cesium reactor, trying, in their anthrocentrism, to squeeze energy out of anthrocentrism, to squeeze energy out of such destructive explosions. And, they are such destructive explosions. And, they are dumping waste cesium onto the shores of dumping waste cesium onto the shores of their island, threatening the environment. their island, threatening the environment. Studies have shown that the dihydro-cesium Studies have shown that the dihydro-cesium reactor will destroy the island's ecosphere in reactor will destroy the island's ecosphere in less than less than four months!four months! Other environmental Other environmental concernsconcerns that can be seen on the Web. that can be seen on the Web.

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Cesium-Based Reactor Cesium-Based Reactor Kills!Kills!How can they get away with this? How can they get away with this?

Costa Rica (where the island is near) has lax Costa Rica (where the island is near) has lax environmental laws, allowing Acme to do whatever environmental laws, allowing Acme to do whatever they want - including destroy endangered species. they want - including destroy endangered species.

What can you do about this? What can you do about this?

Don't let them get away with it! Boycott Acme Don't let them get away with it! Boycott Acme products! And call your representatives, and tell them products! And call your representatives, and tell them you support stricter legislation to prevent things like you support stricter legislation to prevent things like this!this!

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Back to Reality - PathosBack to Reality - Pathos

Pathos is an argument based on Pathos is an argument based on emotion, playing on sympathy, fears, emotion, playing on sympathy, fears, and desires.and desires.

The Say "NO!" To Acme! page is The Say "NO!" To Acme! page is pathos-based because it relies on an pathos-based because it relies on an emotional response from the people emotional response from the people reading it. reading it.

By stressing the helplessness of the By stressing the helplessness of the (endangered) turtle, it attempts to (endangered) turtle, it attempts to sway people to its side, against the sway people to its side, against the "commericial hordes" of Acme. "commericial hordes" of Acme.