Rhetorical Analysis of Print Texts

1. Rhetorical Analysis of Print Texts Adapted from UT’s Students Partnering for Undergraduate Success (SPURS)

2. Rhetorical Appeals • Logos • Pathos • Ethos

3. Analyzing Logos • Central claim • This writer makes lots of claims in this piece, but which one does she most want her audience to grant her? • Does the claim you identified account for the circumstances that prompted the writing of this argument in the first place? • Have you represented the writer’s intentions accurately?

4. Analyzing Logos, cont. • Reasons • You’re having a conversation with the writer. You ask him, “why do you believe that [insert central claim here]?” What is the first thing he will say in response? • Would he stop with his first answer, or would he provide additional answers?

5. Analyzing Logos, cont. • Quality of Reasons • Let’s assume for the moment that the writer’s audience believes her supporting reasons are factually true. • Would that be enough to convince the audience to grant her central claim, or would they still resist?

6. Analyzing Logos, cont. • Quality of Evidence • Does the writer provide evidence to support the reason? If so, where in the text does he do this? • Assuming the writer does provide evidence to support the reason, is it enough? Will the audience believe the reason is factually true, or will they continue to doubt?

7. Analyzing Logos, cont. • Counterarguments • Does the writer anticipate potential objections to parts of her argument, and, if so, where in the text does she do this? • Does she represent her opponents’ views fairly, or does she attack straw men? Does she make necessary concessions, or is she just stubborn? • Does she provide a convincing rebuttal, or does she allow her opponent the last word?

8. Analyzing Ethos • Do the writer's credentials (relevant experience, job title, place of work, place of training, awards, previous positions, etc.) make his claims more (or less) believable? Explain how. • Does the writer show respect for his readers, or talk down to them? Explain how using examples from the text. • Does the writer seem arrogant, or approachable? Caring, or insensitive? Explain how using examples from the text.

9. Analyzing Ethos, cont. • Does the writer ignore or demean the opinions of others, or is he careful to consider alternate viewpoints and treat opponents with respect? Explain how using examples from the text. • Does the writer exaggerate, not do his homework, use evidence in ways that are misleading, or does he seem well-informed, fair-minded, and willing to deal with evidence from all sides? Explain how using examples from the text. • Does the writer seem sloppy and disorganized, or careful and meticulous? Explain how using examples from the text.

10. Analyzing Pathos • Does the writer evoke emotions (sympathy, outrage, anger, delight, pride, awe, shame, horror, etc.) in her audience that are likely to help (or hurt) her case? Explain how using examples from the text. • Does the writer evoke sensations (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling) that make her writing vivid and cause readers to experience things imaginatively, or does she just appeal to readers’ heads and leave the rest of them feeling dull? Explain how using examples from the text. • Does the writer appeal to values (freedom, justice, tolerance, faith, equality, etc.) that her audience shares? Does she do so in a way that help or hurt her case? Explain how using examples from the text.