Conducting a Rhetorical Analysis AP Language & Composition Grade 11

Goal of Rhetorical Analysis Break down the text as a whole into the sum of its parts What is the writer trying to achieve? What strategies is he using to meet this goal? Are these strategies effective?

Questions to Ask While Reading Critically What is the general subject of the text? Does it have meaning to you? Is it controversial? Does it bring up other associations in your mind?

Questions to Ask While Reading Critically What is the thesis? How does the thesis comment on the subject? What is the purpose of the argument? What is the author hoping to achieve? What is the tone of the text? How is that tone developed throughout the piece? Is the tone effective in achieving the purpose? Who is the audience for this argument?

Three Appeals Does the author consider the Rhetorical Triangle? If not, where does the author fail in this regard If so, what are the strongest appeals and how do they affect the success of the piece?

Three Appeals Appeals to Ethos Does the author establish credibility? Does the author seem trustworthy? How does the author handle the subject and/or the audience

Three Appeals Appeals to Pathos Does the author make and emotional appeal? What techniques does he use to reach the audience emotionally? Is the appeal to emotion primary or secondary to the author’s purpose?

Three Appeals Appeals to Logos What facts (if any) are used in the argument? What facts are left out of the argument that might affect the piece? Does the argument rely on logic?

Claims What claims are made in the argument? What techniques or devices does the author use to establish these claims? What issues are raised in the piece?

Considering the Context What are the contexts considered in the piece: Social Political Historical Cultural Whose interests do these contexts serve? Who gains or loses as a result of the argument?

Shape of the Argument How does the shape or arrangement of the piece affect the argument? Does the argument go from specific to general Inductive reasoning – makes a claim based on looking at a number of specific examples. Small to big. Does the argument go from general to specific Deductive reasoning – makes a claim based on a general principal then applying to a specific case. Are there headings or divisions in the writing

How does the Style of the Argument Work to Persuade an Audience? How would you characterize the overall style of the piece? Formal / informal Serious / light-hearted Slanted / objective ect. Is there anything unique or interesting about the style that is worth discussing?

How does the Language of the Argument Work to Persuade an Audience? Consider the diction How does the word choice relate to the purpose? How does the sentence structure or syntax affect the piece? Do sentences stand out that might be significant?

Making Connections No matter what items you choose to comment on during a rhetorical analysis, you must make connections to your thesis or to the author’s purpose. Don’t just make observations about a text, you must tie it to something important about the bigger picture of the piece as a whole!