Quick Write

What would someone have to do to change your opinion on something?

Analyzing Arguments

Chapter 5 in our textbook is about analyzing arguments. This is what we are doing with our rhetorical analysis. We are analyzing the argument that the text and the author are making. This is an important skill to learn to become a better critical thinker. We should not only be clear with our arguments, but have an understanding of how other people make arguments.

Page 181 has a checklists for analyzing a text. Use these as guidelines to begin your analysis.

Page 191 has a checklist for writing your analysis of an argument. Very helpful for the early stages of drafting.

Rhetorical Appeals

Ethos: Appeals to Ethics, Credibility or Character. Ethics, ethical, trustworthiness or reputation, style/tone. The credibility of the speaker persuades.

Pathos: Appeals to Emotion. Emotional or imaginative impact, stories, values. Uses emotional response to persuade an audience.

Logos: Appeals to logic. Persuade by reason and evidence.

What is an Argument?

Contradiction?

Claims, reasons, and evidence.

Argument – a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

Logos

  1. Evidence, S.T.A.R.
    • Sufficient
    • Typical
    • Acceptable
    • Relevant
  2. Rhetorical Questions
  3. Signposts
    • Transitions and connections
  4. Pre-buttals
    • Anticipate objections and answering

Rhetorical Situation

A rhetorical situation is the context of a rhetorical act, made up (at a minimum) of a rhetor (a speaker or writer), an issue (or exigence), a medium (such as a speech or a written text), and an audience. Source

The Rhetorical Situation, or context for writing. The author has a purpose and is writing for an audience. They each affect one another.

Rhetorical Analysis

We are going to analyze a text together. Take notes on what you notice.

Start with the Text

See first, then look.

What do you see? What stands out? What is happening?

For this assignment you will pick a text, define, describe, and analyze the rhetorical context and/or argument the text is making. All texts have an author or authors and are created with a purpose. A rhetorical analysis helps us to understand the purpose it was created for and what it is saying or arguing.

Rhetorical Analysis Notes

  • What is the primary purpose of the text? To entertain, inform, persuade, demonstrate knowledge, something else?
  • Consider the topic. What point does it make?
  • Who is the primary audience? How well is it adapted to the audience?
  • Consider the author. What is her aim?
  • Consider the medium and design. What is the genre of the text?
  • Consider the occasion. Why was it created?
  • Media/Design. How does the medium affect the tone and organization?

Let’s apply these questions in groups of two or three.