Do you want to know how to write a rhetorical analysis essay? In this day and age, writing rhetorical analysis essays have become one of the prime academic skills. If you want to take admission to a good university, you must learn about rhetorical analysis essays.
As you are reading this article, chances are you are a student and want to learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay. If so, I would highly suggest you read this article to the end, as I will be covering all the steps required to write a rhetorical analysis essay.
By the end of this article, you will have complete knowledge of rhetorical strategies and rhetorical analysis. So without wasting any further time, let us dive into it.
Understanding a Rhetorical Analysis Essay
While it assesses the argument’s merits, a rhetorical analysis proceeds to examine the question of the communication of the argument: How is the message being conveyed by the author? Therefore, there are three areas to consider:
- Ethos
Did the author demonstrate authority/credibility vis-a-vis the audience? Credibility finds some sources of authority, experience, expertise, or from an authority respected by the audience; hence, that would bond the audience more with the writer.
- Pathos
Did the author appeal to the emotional response of the audience? This is achieved through picturesque descriptions, personal anecdotes, and emotionally charged vocabulary, which could forever bond the audience.
- Logos
Was there any appeal to logical reasoning or rational faculties? Did the author present facts, reasonable deductions, and statistical support to back up the claims?
The analysis of these three concepts will indicate the author’s strengths and weaknesses in employing persuasive techniques and structuring their arguments.
How To Write A Rhetorical Analysis Essay? – Guidelines
Select a Text for the Analysis Rhetoric-Richter Text because rhetorical strategy applies to speeches, essays, political debates, advertisements, articles, or any kind of communication eliciting a reaction or persuasion from the audience. Just to mention a few of the great pieces for rhetorical analysis, here is a small list.
- “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr.
- John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address
- Franklin D. Roosevelt: Pearl Harbor Speech.
Editorials or opinion pieces from reputable newspapers
Read and Annotate the Text
Read the text several times and take extensive notes.
Highlight important phrases or rhetorical appeals and techniques such as arguments and persuasion. Pay attention to:
The speaker’s tone can be formal, emotional, aggressive, neutral, etc.
Audience (for whom is the text?)
- Arguments: Are they logical and well-structured?
- Figurative language (similes, metaphors, symbolism, etc.).
- Rhetorical questions; other stylistic devices; repetition.
Identify the Rhetorical Situation Using SOAPSTone
The SOAPSTone analysis is divided into five parts that would allow a deeper understanding of a text:
- Speaker: Who is the author or speaker? What qualifications do they have? What background did they come from?
- Occasion: What is the historical or situational context?
- Audience: Who is the intended audience?
- Purpose: What is the goal of the text? To inform, persuade, entertain, or motivate?
- Subject: What is the main subject or issue?
- Tone: What is the author’s attitude towards the subject?
Crafting the Thesis Statement
Your thesis must make a definite assertion concerning your analysis of the author’s rhetorical strategies; in other words, it must be able to address questions such as:
- What is the author’s primary argument?
- What rhetorical strategies are employed?
- How effectively are they employed to persuade an audience?
Weak Thesis Indeed:
- “Martin Luther King Jr. uses persuasive techniques in his speech.” (Too vague)
- In Refuting Such Weakness, a Strong Thesis Can Be Drafted in the Following Way:
- “In the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech Martin Luther King Jr….”
- Layout or Structure of the Essay
The characteristic features of the organization of a rhetorical analysis paper include the following:
An Introduction
- Introduced are the author, work, and context.
- Then guess what? A wee bit of summary of the work comes.
- The author’s thesis statement follows this.
All The Body Paragraphs (Analysis)
Each one is going to examine a strategy. Each paragraph should ideally take the following shape:
- Topic Sentence: Introduce the rhetorical device under analysis.
- Evidence: Provide illustrative examples from the text.
- Explanation: Discuss in what way the device supports the author’s argument.
- Connection: How does this pertain to the overall effectiveness of the text?
Example Body Paragraph:
- Topic Sentence: King establishes credibility (ethos) by referring to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
- Evidence: He says, “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
- Explanation: King derives credibility by correlating his argument with widely understood principles accepted by the masses.
- Connection: This bolsters King’s moral high ground and gives the audience confidence that his cause is rooted in American values.
Finalizing Your Rhetorical Analysis Paper
- Restate your thesis using different words.
- Summarize the key findings from your analysis.
- Discuss the extent to which rhetorical strategies are effective.
- Explain what makes the text significant or influential today.
Analyze in Strong Terms
When analyzing, do not summarize. Use phrases that include:
- “The author uses…to emphasize…”
- “This appeal to…because…”
- “The author, therefore, build his argument through…”.
Revise and Proofread
Make sure that everything is understood clearly and there is a logical flow.
- All examples must support the thesis.
- Correct all grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
Ensure that the transition among paragraphs is smooth.
Some Rhetorical Strategies and Techniques Commonly Used
Understanding the rhetorical strategies would then improve your analysis. The important techniques include, but are not limiting to:
- Diction: The selection of words has effects on meaning and tone.
- Imagery: Serves as a strong appeal to the senses.
- Metaphor and Simile: Comparisons give people a point of view on what to do.
- Repetition: The repeating of certain words or phrases stresses emphasis.
- Parallelism: The use of like sentence structures for effect.
- Rhetorical Questions: Questions that are put forth for consideration, not for answering.
- Allusion: Reference is made to past literature or history for deeper meaning.
Tips for Strong Rhetorical Analysis Essay
- Keep It Objective: Focus on the text’s strategies, not your opinion.
- Use Evidence: Use specific examples to back up your analysis.
- Avoid Summarizing: Analyze how rhetorical techniques create the argument.
- Be Clear and Concise: Consider clarity in writing and proper language and avoid repetition of certain points unless necessary.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. Above were the steps to know in order to learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay. I hope this article has given you some clear insights into rhetorical essays. If you have some questions or feedback in regards to this article, you can comment on them down below.
