Though all sections of WR 111 ask students to write and revise a rhetorical analysis of a passage from a form text, instructors have their own preferred ways of introducing this assignment. You may make up one's mind whether y'all wish to refer to Aristotelian models or not; this page gives you two possible approaches to this assignment. Note that instructors might want to suggest specific texts, or even passages, for students to cull among to analyze, rather than leaving the pick entirely open, merely so students are choosing fruitful texts for this consignment.

Objective

to exercise evaluating rhetorical techniques; to move past identifying techniques into discussing the effects of a author's rhetorical techniques; (optional) to explore how these passages are constructive using Aristotle's model of rhetorical appeals: ethos, pathos and logos, or ethics/brownie, emotion and reason/logic

Key Terms

analysis; rhetorical techniques

Option 1: Standard "close-reading" rhetorical analysis of wording and fashion

  1. Make a re-create of the passage yous'll be analyzing and so that you lot can  annotate it; you volition exist turning this in with your work. On this copy actively marker the text with any highlighting, questions, comments you accept every bit you read.
  2. Place any of the rhetorical techniques y'all find in a short, 1-3 paragraph passage from 1 of our readings.  These may include:
    • parallelism
    • repetition
    • metaphor or simile
    • symbolism
    • definition
    • tense shifts
    • rhetorical questions
    • tone shifts
    • varying sentence structure and/or length
    • dialect or not-standard usage
  3. Prepare a ane-1/2 page reflection on the rhetorical techniques y'all find in the passage.
  4. Identify the technique(s) you have discovered and discuss their effect.
  5. Remember more, as you program your response, nearly the post-obit aspects of the author's diction, and have notes:
    • How does the rhetorical technique contribute to the tone of the essay?
    • What message is conveyed by the write's choice of words/structures?
    • Does the device draw readers into the passage or push button them away?
    • Does it deadening downward or speed up the reading?
    • Does the technique provide emphasis?
    • Does it make the passage more persuasive?
    • Attempt substituting other words/phrases in the judgement. Which one requires you to modify the sentence structure?
    • Does the voice or attitude of the original sentence change when you lot substitute these alternate words/phrases? If and then, why?
    • How would the passage feel different to a reader if the author had phrased things differently?
    • When and why might these phrases or techniques be used in your own writing?
  6. Decide, once you have identified the rhetorical techniques and started thinking closely about their effects, how to organize the supporting material. The following strategies will be involved in the process:

Integrating Sources:  These are the steps to follow when you refer to specific parts of the text:

  1. Underline key words or phrases;
  2. Determine whether yous want to summarize, paraphrase, or quote;
  3. Introduce the specific segment with an effective verb and integrate the summary, paraphrase, or quotation into your sentence;
  4. After the commendation, put the page number in parentheses, before the end of-clause punctuation.

Quotation:  In academic writing, you lot are ordinarily balancing your vocalism with the ideas and research of other people. When you decide to comprise quotations from experts into your ain writing follow these guidelines:

  • Continue uncommonly memorable passages;
  • Strengthen arguments by referring to acknowledged authorities in the topic;
  • Capture the flavor of the original wording.

Pick 2: Aristotelian rhetorical analysis

  1. Make a copy of the passage you'll be analyzing then that yous tin  annotate it; you will be turning this in with your work. On this copy actively mark the text with any highlighting, questions, comments y'all have as you read.
  2. Identify and clarify two rhetorical techniques in a passage from one of our readings. Your passage should be a paragraph or a short chain of closely related sequential paragraphs that make a certain point.
  3. Structure your analysis using the post-obit model
    • Paragraph 1: Introduction
      Here you should introduce the writer, title, and a short summary of the main idea of the text. Y'all should focus on the author's main thought and purpose for writing in your summary and briefly introduce the two rhetorical devices y'all have called and how you would summarize their contributions to the effectiveness of the text.

Venn diagram of pathos, ethos, and logos.

    • Paragraph 2: Assay of Rhetorical Technique #i
      Your paragraph should commencement with a topic sentence that introduces the rhetorical technique, citing the rhetorical element from your passage. If you lot cull a technique where the verbal wording matters (parallelism, metaphor, simile, repetition, definition, rhetorical questions, varying judgement structure/length, or nonstandard apply of language), you should use a direct quote. If y'all cull a technique where the exact wording is less of import (extended metaphor, symbolism, tense shifts, tone shifts, or examples), then yous should use a paraphrase. Offer an caption of the rhetorical technique and how it contributes to the communicative purposes of the text past specifically referencing Aristotle's model for rhetorical appeals and how it works in conjunction with other contextual factors. Call up that a rhetorical device can make more than than i appeal at the same time. In fact, effort to explore those areas of writing that integrate all three of Aristotle's pistes at the same time. These are, typically, the well-nigh effective and persuasive.
    • Paragraph 3: Assay of Rhetorical Technique #two
      Repeat the process of Paragraph 2 for your second rhetorical technique.
    • Paragraph 4: Reflection
      Think about what you can learn from your called author's use of rhetorical techniques every bit a writer yourself. Write 1 paragraph reflecting on your own utilise of the rhetorical sensibilities you have analyzed in the text and how you think they can improve your own writing: Have you used either of these techniques in the past? When might you use some of these techniques in your future writing?