Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

Definition: process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations. Faigley defines rhetorical analysis as “a kind of analysis that divides a whole into parts to understand how an act of speaking or writing conveys meaning” (161).

Purpose: The purpose of the rhetorical analysis is to get you to read closely, and to help you to understand the “moves” that writers make. By doing so, it should be evident that these “moves” are not done on accident. Each element of a text is included as a way to achieve a specific outcome (or purpose). By examining a text closely you should be able to understand what purpose the writer wanted to achieve and how the writer went about achieving that purpose. Remember that the moves in writing are typically intentional and not accidental. By doing so, you should be able to understand “how a particular act of writing or speaking influenced particular people at a particular time” (Faigley 161).

Topic:The topic for your rhetorical analysis is up to you. However, the rhetorical analysis needs to be done on some type of written work (ie a newspaper article, a magazine article, etc). It is my suggestion that you choose something that you enjoy reading and on a topic that you are interested in, because this is an article that you will have to read numerous times and look at quite closely. You will also be required to turn in a copy of the article to me, so keep that in mind as well.

Audience: The audience for this paper needs to be a more formal one. Obviously, I will be one of your audiences, but who think about who might actually have something to gain from reading your analysis. Is it someone who seems to take the news as gospel without thinking about it? Is it your peers?

Context: In a rhetorical analysis you have to pay attention to the text and also the context. Looking at the text means considering what is on that physical piece of paper. How are the words, sentences, illustrations, punctuation, etc all working together to achieve a particular purpose? The context deals with what is going on outside of the text at that particular moment that may have affected the text.

Requirements: This paper will consist of multiple elements. Fulfilling all requirements is a condition of your grade. The paper:

Must be a 900-1200 word essay analyzing a specific aspect of the text. The works cited page does not count toward the page length.

Must be a substantial text, but not a text that is overly difficult (consider articles from TIME,The New York Times, etc).

Must use a thesis that explains the argument or conclusion you came to about the text.

Must show a close reading of the text.

Must include numerous examples from the text to prove your point.

Can include information from other texts to help explain your point, especially if you are talking about the context—doing so requires a works cited page.

Must be typed and double spaced.

Must be in Times New Roman 12 pt font or Calibri 11pt font.

Must have 1” margins.

Must have a title at the top of the page that is interesting and engaging.

Must contain the following key features:

  • A summary of the text (what is the text about?)
  • Attention to context (what is going on around the subject that we must understand?)
  • A clear interpretation or judgment (how do you want the reader to read this text?)
  • Reasonable support for your conclusions (how did you come to the conclusion you did?)

What to analyze: First you must read the text carefully. Then consider the following questions:

  • What did you find interesting or intriguing?
  • Did the language interest you?
  • Did the imagery interest you?
  • Did the argument interest you?
  • Did the structure interest you?

Then, consider how the text’s components to see how they work together. What from the text made you feel the way you did about it?

For Further Help:

  • Pages 160-199 in Faigley
  • Pages 5-12 in Faigely
  • The rhetorical questions handout on the class website
  • The Writing Center
  • Me

Important Dates:

8-28-12 Paper Assigned

9-11-12 First Draft Due

9-18-12 Second Draft Due

9-27-12 Final Draft Due

Top View