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Rhetorical
Analysis Questions
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ENGL102
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“Rhetoric
is the study of how writers and speakers use words to influence an audience. A
rhetorical analysis is an essay that breaks a work of non-fiction into parts
and then explains how the parts work together to create a certain
effect—whether to persuade, entertain or inform. You can also conduct a rhetorical analysis of
a primarily visual argument such as a cartoon or advertisement, or an oral
performance such as a speech.” (Texas A&M Writing Center)
As
we started to cover in class on Tuesday (today), these are the types of question a
rhetorical analysis of a source may answer in the form of a thesis statement
and topic sentences, so take time to answer each of them in your Writing
Journals:
1.
What is the main purpose of writing the piece? Who is the audience?
2.
Where does the author’s on topic come from/where do they state their authority?
3.
What is the main point or points of the piece? Connect this to purpose.
4.
What is their position/stance on the subject? What categories would you put
their arguments within?
5.
What is the strongest argument made in the entire piece? Evidence and
explanation, please!
6.
What is the weakest argument made? Why, what counter idea makes the argument
weaker?
7.
Do you find a logical problem with any of the author’s ideas—why? Explain the
logical fault.
8. What
do you find effective about the author’s language?
9.
How does the author’s style help him or her achieve purpose?
10.
In what order does the author make his or her points? How does he or she
structure his own argument? Is there a pattern or a reason for moving through
the thesis the way he or she decides to go?
11.
Any other techniques with language that stuck out to you used to achieve points
of view?
12.
Why do you think the author relied on using the methods he or she does to get
point across?
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