As the main goal of this class is to practice argumentative writing, we will read arguments by published authors in order to better understand how argumentative writing works. In a sense, what we read will serve as models for our own argumentative writing, showing us both how the argument is done well and how it could be improved. We will analyze these texts rhetorically, which will challenge us to take note of each authors use of rhetoric, which is often described as an art form. For this assignment, you will prepare a rhetorical analysis essay based on the instructions below. Please save your file in .doc or .docx format. Your response should be complete and your final document should be three (3) full double-spaced pages in length (minimum) and should comply with MLA writing requirements.
*Students are encouraged to visit the following website before completing writing assignments. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
*To view the grading rubric for this assignment, click on the name of the assignment and click “View Rubric”
Instructions:
A Rhetorical Analysis Essay requires you to apply your critical reading skills in order to break down a text. The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to articulate HOW the author writes, rather than WHAT she actually wrote. To do this, you will analyze the rhetorical situation and strategies the author uses to achieve her purpose of writing her piece.
In this assignment, you need to:
- Choose one of the short written texts from Open Essays at https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Literature_and_Literacy/Book%3A_88_Open_Essays_-_A_Reader_for_Students_of_Composition_and_Rhetoric_(Wangler_and_Ulrich)/Open_Essays
- Select a text that you believe will allow you to comment upon many aspects of the authors craft.
- Actively read the text multiple times.
- Apply the rhetorical situation; assertions, reasoning, and evidence; and rhetorical appeals (logos, pathos, and ethos) that we have learned about in the eText, taking note of significant moments when the authors use of rhetoric is especially apparent, ineffective, or effective.
- Develop a working thesis. (Remember, you are focusing on HOW the author writes, not WHAT she writes. Your thesis should be arguable, specific, and supportable. Your thesis should be a judgment on how effective the authors text is based on her use of rhetorical strategies. Your thesis should not have anything to do with how you personally feel about the authors topic.)
- Organize your ideas.
- Develop topic sentences for all body paragraphs that do at least these two things:
- Provide the main point of that paragraph
- Relate back to the thesis (overall judgment of the article) clearly
- Locate, use, cite, and comment upon some specific passages and moments from your chosen text in your essay in order to support the claims you make about the rhetorical strategies the author uses and the effectiveness of the authors text.
- Only summarize in the introduction where you should briefly summarize the article.
- Keep in mind that your essay must be coherent and cohesive; tie all the points you choose to make (topic sentences) together with a main claim (thesis).
- Make sure you have STRONG introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
- Include a Works Cited page with your text cited correctly in MLA format.