Class Overview

1. Class Overview • BA5 Grades • What is a Rhetorical Analysis? • Group Writing Exercise • How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

2. BA5 Grade Breakdown • A – 10 (16%) • B – 18 (30%) • C – 13 (22%) • D – 14 (23%) • F – 4 (6%)

3. What is a rhetorical analysis? • It’s an analysis of the rhetoric! (duh)

4. What is a rhetorical analysis? • It’s an analysis of the rhetoric! (duh) • A rhetorical analysis should explore the rhetorician’s goals, the techniques (i.e. rhetorical choices) used, examples of those techniques, and the effectiveness of those techniques. In essence, you’re discussing how the writer makes that argument and determining whether those choices are effective or ineffective.

5. What is a rhetorical analysis? • A rhetorical analysis is an essay that breaks down an author’s argument into parts and then explains how the parts work together to create a certain effect – whether to persuade, entertain, or inform.

6. What is a rhetorical analysis? • An essay in which you discuss the how, how well, and why as opposed to the what. • How = rhetorical choices • How well = the effectiveness of those choices • Why = the reason why the author uses these choices to achieve his purpose and persuade his audience

7. Group Writing Work in groups of three. Read through the Draft 1.1 on page 476 of your text book and explain what you think is wrong with this person’s rhetorical analysis. As with your BA6, focus mostly on the writer’s ideas and arguments and how she does not write a rhetorical analysis correctly. If you want, you can focus on one paragraph in particular. Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.

8. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Introduction The introduction to a rhetorical analysis is usually brief. It should contain: -The author’s name, the occasion, and his subject matter. -The purpose and audience. Why is the author writing this, and to whom is he writing? -Your argument. This argument should contain rhetorical choices that you believe help the writer achieve his purpose.

9. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Sample Introduction In her narrative essay “Fish Cheeks,” novelist Amy tan recounts an embarrassing Christmas Eve dinner when she was fourteen years old. Tan’s purpose is to convey the idea that, at fourteen, she was not able to recognize the love her mother had for her or the sacrifices she made. She adopts a sentimental tone in order to appeal to similar feelings and experiences in her adult readers.

10. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Things to avoid your introduction: • Avoid the “since the beginning of time” introductions. • Don’t start off your introduction with a definition (i.e. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “success” as…). • Don’t tell your reader every detail of the text. Just give a concise (1-2 sentence) explanation of what the text is about.

11. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Body • Dedicate each paragraph to a discussion of one of your rhetorical choices. • You don’t need a paragraph that summarizes the whole text. Only summarize when you need to explain what the surface level a quote means, but don’t spend much time doing it. • Think of each paragraph as a “mini essay” in which you argue one specific point that relates back to your main argument.

12. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Paragraph Level -The first sentences in your paragraph should introduce the rhetorical choice that you plan to discuss. -The next sentences should covey support for your main idea by identifying and providing a specific example of that rhetorical choice. -After that, you argue how and how well this rhetorical choice helps the writer’s argument. Other things to consider: how does this choice help the writer achieve his purpose? Why is this rhetorical choice effective for the writer’s audience?

13. How to write a Rhetorical Analysis Conclusion This should be the easiest part. Briefly and simply remind your reader of the arguments that you have made throughout your paper. Make sure to restate your thesis at the beginning of the conclusion.

14. What words should I use? To help you move away from summary and toward ANALYSIS, you need to begin to incorporate strong verbs into your writing when discussing the writer’s rhetorical choices.

15. What words should I (try not to) use? Weak Words says relates goes on to say tells this quote shows states shows

16. What words should I (definitely) use? implies trivializes flatters qualifies processes describes suggests denigrates lionizes dismisses analyzes questions compares vilifies praises supports enumerates contrasts emphasizes demonizes establishes admonishes expounds argues defines ridicules minimizes narrates lists warns These words show that you understand HOW the author is deliberately making his argument.