Project 1: Rhetorical Analysis

Overview:

  • In this project, you will offer a 2-3 page rhetorical analysis of a text. More specifically:
  • You will apply close and critical reading skills on three selected texts from the EHE;
  • You will analyze how, or how well, the author of the text communicates his or her purpose to the intended audience.
  • This project is worth 15% of your semester grade.
  • We will use the following timeline for this project:
  • Peer Review Workshop on Monday, September 15
  • Style and Conventions Seminar on Wednesday, September 17
  • Final Draft of P1 due on Friday, September 19

Purpose and Focus:

The purpose of the Rhetorical Analysis assignment will be to closely and critically read a text within our course theme, analyze the rhetorical situation and components of the text, and offer a written analysis of how well the author used rhetoric within the text for the intended audience.

  • Here is a way to distinguish between close and critical reading:

  • Using the strategies discussed in class, you will rhetorically analyze ONE of the following texts from the EHE reader:

“Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here” (Edmundson)

“A Question of Honor” (Chace)

“Students are Already Workers” (Bousquet)

Development for Audience:

The audience for this assignment will be your classmates and your instructor. In order to best achieve your purpose with your audience, you’ll need to:

  • Carefully and closely read the selected text, understanding WHAT is being said;
  • Critically read the selected text, looking for HOW (or how well) the author is communicating his or her purpose;
  • You will certainly need to understand the entire rhetorical situation; however, the pieces that MUST be fully explained is WHO the intended audience is, and WHAT the purpose of the text is. You will be selective about the other rhetorical elements you explore in-depth: Maintain a sustainable focus.
  • Develop the analysis by offering a clear thesis statement;
  • The thesis should be the answer to the following question: How successful is the text at reaching its purpose with the intended audience?
  • Consider rhetorical elements and audience appeals;
  • To support your thesis statement, you will choose a few rhetorical elements which may appeal to logos, ethos, and/or pathos AND analyze their effectiveness in achieving the purpose with the intended audience. Here are a few suggested additional rhetorical elements from which you can choose:
  • Evidence
  • Organization
  • Argument Structure
  • Counterargument and/or refutation
  • Language, tone, or style
  • Offer evidence from the text that supports your thesis;
  • The textual evidence will be examples of the rhetorical element focused upon as it plays out in the text (ex: if the rhetorical element you are focusing upon is the colloquial tone used, offer a phrase of the colloquial language as evidence to support your assertion).

Genre and Organization:

The genre for this assignment will be a 2-3 page rhetorical analysis essay. The purpose is to analyze the rhetorical effectiveness of a text; therefore, you will draw heavily from the mode of analysis writing (Chapter 7 in JTC).

Depending upon the focus you wish to have, you may choose to organize your essay around audience appeals OR you may choose to organize your essay around rhetorical elements.

Style and Conventions:

  • Since your rhetorical analysis is an academic essay, the tone and style should be appropriate for an academic audience.
  • Your rhetorical analysis should be grammatically correct and you should pay close attention to all conventions of standard, written English—especially those discussed in the Style and Conventions Seminar. Additionally,
  • Your analysis essay should be typed and double-spaced, using Times New Roman, 12 pt font;
  • Have your last name and page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.

Hierarchy of Rhetorical Concerns for Feedback and Evaluation:Rhetorical Analysis

Your project will be evaluated based on the following hierarchy of rhetorical concerns and the extent to which the project effectively achieves its purpose with its audience in the given context. The following questions will be used to guide the feedback and evaluation of the project.