WHAT IS RHETORIC

& H O W T O E VA L U AT E A T E X T

RHETORIC
The term rhetoric refers to the study, uses, and
effects of written, spoken, and visual language
Rhetoric is found all around us in many forms:
advertisements, literature, newspapers, art,
comics, speeches, etc.
Aristotle: The faculty of observing in any case all
of the available means of persuasion

NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT RHETORIC IS,

WHAT DO I DO?
Rhetorical analysis looks not only at what a
text says, but at what it does. It includes
consideration of the claims, devices, and strategic
moves an author makes in hopes of persuading
an audience. Analyzing both the content and form
is a rhetorical analysis.
Performing rhetorical analyses on texts helps us
to get a better sense of how, why, and to what
extent an argument is effective. This helps us
decide if we believe the author and their
argument.

RHETORICAL SITUATION
ARGUMENT

CONTEX
T

PURPO
SE
AUTHOR

AUDIENC
E

WHY DOES THE AUTHOR MATTER?

AGE
EXPERIENCE
GENDER
LOCATION
BELIEFS
EDUCATION

WHY DOES THE AUDIENCE MATTER?

AGE
EXPERIENCE
EXPECTATIONS
PUBLICATION
LOCATION
BELIEFS
EDUCATION

WHAT IS A PURPOSE?

The reason(s) why an author might write a piece.

EDUCATE
INFORM
PERSUADE
CALL TO ACTION
SHOCK

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT?

The situation generating need

TIME
PLACE
HISTORY
CURRENT EVENTS

WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT?
The main claim/assertion of the text
If there is no argument, there is no point
Thesis Statement
IT IS:
Arguable
Opinion
It IS NOT:
Fact

SO, ONCE I HAVE AN ARGUMENT, AM I

DONE?
You need evidence to support your point.
Evidence is the reason why your point is valid.
What form(s) can evidence take?

OKAY, BUT DO I NEED ANYTHING ELSE?

Rhetorical Strategies are the moves an author
makes to grab attention, create emphasis, or
build their argument.

ANALYZE THIS

PRACTICE
Okay, with a partner, rhetorically analyze the
Nacerima text.

EVALUATING RHETORIC
A N D T H E E V I D E N C E U S E D T O S U P P O RT T H E
CLAIM

TYPES OF EVIDENCE
Facts
Statistics
Personal experience
Anecdotes
Observations
Examples
Lists
Details
Comparing/contrasting

Dialogue
Quotes
Expert opinion
Hypothetical
situation
Precedence

RELEVANCY
Is the evidence on topic?
Is the evidence
related enough
to the topic?

SUFFICIENCY
Is enough evidence provided?
Are enough types of evidence provided?

CREDIBILITY
Does the evidence come from a reliable source?
Is that source provided?
Where was the source
published?
When was it published?
Do you believe what
the author has to say?

EVALUATING A TEXT
What is the author claiming?
Who is the author? Is he a credible source on
the topic of language? Why or why not?
Is the author actually discussing the topic? Are
his examples relevant?
Is their enough support, examples, or evidence
for his claim?
Did he convince you of his claim?
If not, what could he do to be more persuasive?

MAKING A JUDGMENT
Which text was better, or rather, which text best
supported its own claim? Give reasons for your
assessment (i.e. Support YOUR CLAIM that HIS/HER
CLAIM was better supported than the other text).

QUIZ
I D E N T I F Y T H E R H E T O R I C A L S I T U AT I O N F O R T H E
F O L LO W I N G T E D TA L K

FREE WRITE
Respond to the following questions:
1. How did it feel not being able to understand the
film?
2. How does it feel not being able to provide the
answers the professor asked for?
3. Imagine if you had to attend school like this
every day. You didnt speak or understand the
language, culture, or customs of the school. How
would you feel?

AMY TAN
Chinese immigrant
parents
Grew up on California
Constant battle with
Mother
Wrote with nonChinese-sounding
pseudonyms
Creative Endeavors &
China

BOOKS

The Joy Luck Club (1989)

The Kitchen Gods Wife (1991)
The Hundred Secret Senses (1995)
The Bonesetters Daughter (2001)
Childrens Books
Autobiography
Saving Fish from Drowning (2005)
The Valley of Amazement (2013)

What assumptions can we make

about Tan and her argument?

Create a list of places or situations where it

is only acceptable to speak in Standard
American English

In groups, respond to your

assigned discussion question.
You do not need to write down
the question or your answer.
Just be prepared to discuss
them as a class.

TRAYVON MARTIN

After reviewing the clip and reading Tans

essay, do you still believe that there are
places, or situations, where Standard
American English is only acceptable?

Identify the types of evidence found

in your designated paragraphs.
Make sure to pull a quote from the
text.

When youre finished, put these on the board.