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.