Ms. Todoric

AP Lang

Rhetorical Analysis Self-check

Evaluate your rhetorical analysis essay using this handout as a guide.

Read your introduction and put a check next to each bullet point you find it in your intro.

Remember, A Good Thesis (and introductory paragraph)…

  • Uses Accurate and specific adjectives—rhetorically accurate adjectives (not “good,” bad,” “positive,” “negative,” etc.
  • Takes a stand
  • Sets up the argument for that stance
  • Identifies the author’s key techniques and strategies
  • Does not have to be one single sentence
  • Provides enough background information for a reader to understand the context of the piece—include SOAPS elements.
  • Is tailored to the purpose of the essay.

How many checks do you have? Are you missing any? Keep this in mind next time you write an in-class essay.

Next, look at your body paragraphs:

EFFECTIVE COMMENTARY (AKA ANALYSIS 101)

  • Commentary is the most important aspect of the analysis, so it’s important that your commentary is thorough, accurate, and clear. Without powerful commentary, you have at best a summary or paraphrase.
  • For rhetorical analysis, short quotes are ideal: Note in my example that I did not include multiple words or examples together. It is best to deal with words and phrases only—take the least text needed.
  • Think of the process of analyzing evidence as “zooming in” on that evidence with a magnifying glass—the point is to get more from less.
  • Commentary must be specific in both style and content.
  • DO NOT merely summarize the author’s points or restate his points—you need to do this to an extent, but keep in mind that the point of rhetorical analysis is to show how and why the author makes the argument.

There are two approaches to writing analytical commentary that can help you to get into the necessary depth in your commentary and to fully flesh out your ideas:

So what?

For each point you make, ask yourself “so what?” Keep asking “so what?” until you can no longer answer “so what?” any longer.

Try out this strategy in your own essay. Find a place, or several places, where your commentary needs work. In the margins of your essay, write “so what?” next to each statement in the commentary.Attempt to answer to answer the first so what, and repeat the process. Be sure that there really is no further so what—don’t give up too quickly! Work hard to deepen your analyses.

What/how/why?

Your commentary should connect the specific examples and ideas back to your broader thesis. The most thorough and effective way to do this is the what/how/why technique.

Code your essay as follows, highlighting or underlining each element in the following colors. Don’t worry if some of the how/why overlaps—just mark these spots green. This should give you a visual sense of where you need to add more how and why:

  • RED: What? (What devices and strategies does the author use to make his/her argument?)
  • YELLOW: Why? (Why did the author use this device? This is the connection to the author’s claim and thesis. Oftentimes, it helps also to ask “Why did the author use this technique instead of another?”)
  • GREEN: How? (How does this example help the author convey his/her claim, and/or How does this device, as an overall strategy, help the author convey his/her claims to the intended audience? How does this help to convince the audience?)

Finally, look at your conclusion. Put a check next to each bullet point you find in it.

  • Conclusion is a separate paragraph.
  • It does NOT repeat the introduction.
  • States final remark/insight briefly.
  • Leaves the reader with a sense of completion.