Rhetorical Analysis Prep

Begin with the Rhetorical Triangle: Identify the author's purpose, recognize the target audience, and discern the primary rhetorical
strategies.
Identify the Strategic Intent: Writer's have a purpose. Each word--and every detail--have been chosen. Why? How do the writer's choice
shape the audience's thoughts and feelings?
Embedded Quotes: Quote only those words necessary. Embed them in your own words.
How & Why? The two most important questions. Each time present the author's words, ask yourself: Why did he say that? How does this
choice shape the audience's thoughts and feelings? Write down the answers to these questions.
Follow the Argument: Writer's develop their positions. Your essay should follow this development.
Strive for Complexity: If the author's uses a series of words or details to make one point, then write about these choices together in one paragraph.

End with Analysis: Your final paragraph should be your analysis of the author's final words. End by explaining how the final words are
designed to win over the audience.
Often, it is best to base paragraphs on the rhetorical intent as opposed to the rhetorical strategy. For example, a writer intends to ridicule his
subject. In order to accomplish this goal, he uses the strategies of diction, selection of detail, and figurative language (e.g., similies). Write
about these three strategies in ONE paragraph detailing how they work together to ridicule the subject and bring readers to the author's point
of view.
A good rule of thumb is to make a brief list at the bottom of the page under the heading, "WHAT THE WRITER WANTS...."
List out what the writer wants. These then become your paragraphs. Identify and explain all strategies the writer uses (within that single
paragraph) to accomplish that goal.
WRITING ABOUT THE AUDIENCE
Go back to the rhetorical triangle: It's all about the audience. The writer wants something: He wants his or her audience to think or feel
differently about something. Each analytical paragraph should address the audience. HOW does the writer want the audience to think or
feel? WHY does he tell them the things he does? WHY might the audience's minds be changed?
End each body paragraph with an explanation on the probable effect on the audience, being sure to emphasize WHY and HOW the writer's
choices might bring about this effect.
The more words shared about the rhetorical effect on the audience, the higher the essay score.
Diction + Detail = Tone
You always have this formula to write about. With what feeling or emotion does the writer express himself? One's tone (or attitude) can be
highly persuasive. A writer can use fear, anger, sympathy, or love to move his or her audience. If you have nothing else to say, write a
paragraph about how the author conveys his or her attitude about the topic at hand.
Analyzing TONE
Tone is the writers attitude or feeling about the subject of his text.
It is a special kind of rhetorical strategy because tone is created by the writers use of all of the
other rhetorical strategies. Diction & Tropes,
Syntax & Schemes,
Details & Lack of Details
When discussing an authors tone, you must be careful to choose the right word.
Analyzing SYNTAX
Syntax refers to the way words are arranged within sentences.
Schemes
One aspect of syntax is schemes. Most English sentences follow a subject-verb-object pattern
(ex. I went to the store.) Deviating from this pattern can serve to add emphasize to the authors
ideas. [See the scheme section of your Style handout for different ways authors can change the
pattern of their sentences.]
Sentence Length
Another aspect of syntax is sentence length. Good writers will use a variety for emphasis.
Short sentences imply straightforward ; Long sentences imply descriptive, detailed
Sentence Type
A third aspect of syntax is sentence type. Again, good writers use a variety.
Punctuation
A final aspect of syntax is punctuation. Yes, good writers use a variety here too.
Semicolon(;) gives equal weight to two or more independent clauses in a sentence. Writers use this to reinforce parallel ideas and show
how both ideas are equally important Colon(:) directs the readers attention to the words that follow. Writers use this to show the reader that
the information after the colon is important. Dash (-) marks a sudden change in thought or tone or sets off a brief summary
Intro
1. Clearly state what the document under consideration is and possibly give some pertinent background information about its history
or development.
2. Give a basic run down of the rhetorical situation surrounding the document: the author, the audience, the purpose, the context, etc.
Thesis: Make a clear declaration/observation with support and related to the audience along with the key rhetorical strategies (use these to
write thesis and come up with declaration) determined when annotating the essay. Ex. Grose begins building her credibility with personal
facts and reputable sources, citing convincing facts and statistics, and successfully employing emotional appeals; however, toward the end of
the article, her attempts to appeal to readers emotions weaken her credibility and ultimately, her argument.