Senior English Rhetorical Analysis
INTRODUCTION:
This project asks you to read and evaluate a series of persuasive speeches in a variety of mediums—from written, to video, to presentation, or even audio forms.
There are two parts to the project:
- Reading and Notes (20pts)
- Rhetorical Device Analysis (50pts)
Total Points: 70
PART ONE: READING AND NOTES
Below are a couple different links for speeches and debates. You will choose at least 2 speeches or debates, read or listen to them, and take notes on them. Your notes must be organized with headings and labels. You should include notations on any of the following: rhetorical devices, summaries, direct quotes, meaning, and connections. The rubric for this part is attached below. The notes can be written and should be at least 1 page in length, and they must be readable and easy to follow. They will be turned in with the rhetorical analysis from part 2.
SPEECHES AND DEBATES:
1.Presidential and VP debates
2.American Rhetoric 100 best speeches (Choose only one from this site)
SPEECH NOTES RUBRIC (30 points)
0 Points / 5 Points / 10 Points / 15 Points / 20 Points- Notes are not present
- There is little to no evidence of the student reading and comprehending the speech
- Notes are semi-infrequent
- Notes lack depth and quality. It is questionable that the student understood the text with depth and clarity
- Very few rhetorical devices, direct quotes, summaries, connections, and meaning is expressed
- Notes are considered an average amount
- Notes show minimal depth of thought and comprehension
- Some rhetorical devices, direct quotes, summaries, connections, and meaning is expressed
- Notes are considered slightly above the average amount
- Notes show depth of thought and comprehension
- rhetorical devices, direct quotes, summaries, connections, and meaning is expressed but not in detail
- Notes are considered above average
- Notes show depth of thought and have excellent detail regarding comprehension
- Great use of rhetorical devices, direct quotes, summaries, connections, and meaning
PART TWO: RHETORICAL DEVICE ANALYSIS
You will pick 1 of the 2 speeches that you took notes on and further develop and analyze that speech or debate. You will identify and label 3 rhetorical devices from the speech or debate. You will then construct 5 separate paragraphs (with intro and conclusion) where you will discuss each device and how it supports the author’s purpose. This section is worth 50 points and will be assessed on the following rubric. The due date for this assignment is Monday November 27 and it must be submitted to turnitin.com.
Rhetorical Speech and Debate Analysis Rubric
Levels of AchievementCriteria / 10-9 / 8-6 / 5-3 / 2-0
Introduction & conclusion / Intro provides context for the rest of the paper and grabs the attention of the reader; conclusion sums up purpose and argument; motivates the audience to action; provides cohesion to whole paper. / Clearly states introduction and conclusion; however, some required elements may be missing or lacking in relevancy. / Intro provides little context for the paper; does not grab the attention of the reader; conclusion may be missing or inadequate. / Intro does not provide context for the paper; conclusion seems unrelated to the rest of the paper.
Argument / Plan presented and addressed fully with a variety of quality research; claim is addressed considering needs of the audience. Ethos, pathos, and logos function well in argument. / Plan presented and addressed fully with research; claim is addressed but may not be adequate for audience; ethos, pathos, logos function in argument. / Plan presented and addressed, but some crucial parts of the argument are missing; research may be lacking, or more quality sources were needed; lack of balance in pathos and logos / Plan is unclear; needs of the audience were not considered; research is presented but lacking in relevancy; writer does not establish credibility
Organization / Smooth flow of ideas ordered in a logical sequence that effectively guides the reader; each paragraph has a well-supported clearly-stated point (rhetorical device); each paragraph clearly functions as a part of the project’s argument / Flow of ideas could be more effectively sequenced; most paragraphs have a clear and supported main point (rhetorical device); each paragraph clearly functions as a part of the project’s argument; transitions help to move the reader through the argument / Ideas do not always flow in a logical, cohesive manner; paragraphs often do not have clear and supported main idea (rhetorical device); some paragraphs do not function as a part of the project’s argument; transitions may be ineffective / Sequence of ideas and paragraphs seems aimless and haphazard; no transitions present; no topic sentences; it is unclear how the information is pertinent to the argument – lack of rhetorical devices used
MLA Format / Double-spaced; MLA heading and running head; one inch margins; original title; 12 pt font; Works Cited page correctly formatted; quotes and/or attributive tags are integrated; citations formatted correctly / One to two of the MLA format requirements may be missing or incorrect: / Three to four of the MLA format requirements may be missing or incorrect: / No attempt to use correct MLA format.
Language use
mechanics / Limited errors in spelling, grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and/or punctuation; good use of academic English / Few errors per page in spelling, grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and/or punctuation; very few problems using academic English / Several errors per paragraph in spelling, grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and/or punctuation; informal language used in multiple instances / Many errors throughout in spelling, grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and/or punctuation; informal or inappropriate language
Total Points ______/ 50