Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Starting Rhetorical Analysis


  • Let's read this sample rhetorical analysis essay from a student at St. Louis CC. Notice how the student use transitions phrases to help build, organize, and emphasize main argumentative points.
  • Let's also read and discuss this one from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).
    • Note: our topic is more culturally hot button, but we want to enact a lot of the same kind of writing actions taken in this essay. 
  • In class, let's look at and respond to some generic questions that need to be asked each time you do a rhetorical analysis. 
  • After coming up with some answers, let's discuss, craft, and answer some questions based on Coates's essay.  Rephrasing generic questions into specific questions that address things in the source specifically is a key strategy to take essay to "next level" in thinking.
  • Then, form a basic outline that you want to follow. Below is a very basic one that you can move around points:
                    Intro
    • Purpose:
    • Audience
    • Effectiveness of author, with main reasons:
                   Body
    • Author's Strong appeal:
    • Author's Weak Appeal:
    • Structure of Author's Argument:
    • Author's Style and its impact:
                  Conclusion:
    • Overall Impact of the argument: your own takeaway
    • ...             




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