Rhetorical Writing/Analysis An Overview

Identifying techniques  S- speaker -voice that tells story)  O- occasion -context that prompted writing  A- audience- to whom piece is directed  P- purpose- reason behind the text  S- Subject T- attitude of author O n e

Traditional elements of rhetorical composition  Invention- art of generating material  Arrangement- placement of ideas for effect  Style- choices the writer makes in language for effect  Memory- access to info. and collective knowledge- (readers cultural assoc.)  Delivery- presentation and format

Terms  Logos- Appeals to reason  Pathos- Appeals to emotion  Ethos- Appeals to ethics (credibility of writer  Hyperbole- Exaggeration for effect  Parallelism- set of similarly structured words, phrases or clauses that appears in a sentence or paragraph

Terms  Anecdote-a brief narrative offered in text to capture audience attention  Causal Relationship- if x is the cause, y is the effect  Aim-goal of speaker or writer- intention or purpose

Terms  Syllogism- logical reasoning from inarguable premise ex: John is an AP student; All AP students are dedicated; John is dedicated

Techniques  Anticipated Objection- technique writer or speaker uses in an argumentative text to address and answer objections, even though the audience has not had the opportunity to voice objections (ex: some of you may feel…, but let me assure you…)

Techniques  Inductive Reasoning- Reasoning that begins by citing a number of specific instances or examples, and then shows how collectively they constitute a general principle  Deductive Reasoning- Reasoning that begins with general principle and concludes with specific instance

How to write a rhetorical analysis essay  Start by identifying SOAPS, appeals (logos, ethos and pathos) and style (diction, syntax, imagery, details)  Examine- WHY did the author use these strategies and HOW did they help achieve his purpose

Introduction  Include: speaker, occasion, subject, purpose and audience  For example: Journalist, Barbara Ehrenreich, in her non- fiction work Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By in America, recounts her experiences as a minimum wage worker to convey the idea… she uses a…tone in order to appeal to…readers

Body Paragraphs  Work chronologically through the text  Identify the part of the text  Use specific examples from text  Identify rhetorical strategies, explain how strategies elucidate the aim

Writing style  Use strong transitions (begins, shifts to, opens, contrasts)  Strong verbs- Implies, ridicules, establishes, enumerates  Weak verbs- Says, relates, states  Avoid summary and focus on analysis Paraphrased from auburnschools.org