Analyzing a Text Rhetorically

Definition of a “Text” A set of symbols that communicates or means something. A text can be read and interpreted. A set of symbols that communicates or means something. A text can be read and interpreted. From the Latin root, From the Latin root, texere, meaning “to weave”

The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens.

Significant Texts in our Lives – Can be Analyzed Religious texts Religious texts Political texts Political texts Legal texts Legal texts News articles News articles Advertisements Advertisements Songs Songs Poetry Poetry Photography Photography Personal experiences Personal experiences Dreams Dreams Student papers Student papers Academic articles Academic articles Memories Memories Speeches Speeches Films Films Books Books Video games Video games Performances Performances Bodies Bodies Clothes Clothes

What does the term “analysis” mean to you? Textual Analysis

Analysis Breaking something down into its essential parts to understand how and why those parts work together to accomplish something (what + how and why) Breaking something down into its essential parts to understand how and why those parts work together to accomplish something (what + how and why) Versus “summary” (what) Versus “summary” (what) Importance of structure Importance of structure Looking at the relationship between the parts – can only understand one part or term in relation to another (binaries, not opposites) Looking at the relationship between the parts – can only understand one part or term in relation to another (binaries, not opposites)

Step 1: Breaking down into essential parts

Step 2: Determining how parts work together

Step 3: Determining what is accomplished when parts work together

Analysis Involves Interpretation Analyze: To break something down into its essential parts to determine how those parts work together to accomplish something. Analyze: To break something down into its essential parts to determine how those parts work together to accomplish something. We can all see the same parts of the same text working together in the same way, yet we each see it accomplishing something different. Or perhaps we all see a text accomplishing the same thing, but see it doing so in different ways.

There are no “wrong” or “right” interpretations of a text. It’s a duck!It’s a bunny! But there are supported and unsupported interpretations of a text (importance of quotes). It’s a tractor!

Rhetoric What does the term “rhetoric” mean to you?

Defining “Rhetoric” The language – both written and visual – that speakers and writers use to communicate or persuade The language – both written and visual – that speakers and writers use to communicate or persuade The study of that language, human interaction, and communication The study of that language, human interaction, and communication

Analyzing a Text Rhetorically Breaking down a text into its essential parts to understand how those parts work together to accomplish something Breaking down a text into its essential parts to understand how those parts work together to accomplish something Rhetorical analysis involves looking at the context, or the rhetorical situation, in which the communication takes place. Rhetorical analysis involves looking at the context, or the rhetorical situation, in which the communication takes place.

Parts of a Rhetorical Situation

Reading Rhetorically Reading like a writer – reading the text as a series of choices Reading like a writer – reading the text as a series of choices Understanding how the author(s) constructed the text and why the author(s) made certain choices about the text Understanding how the author(s) constructed the text and why the author(s) made certain choices about the text Understanding the context, as well as the content Understanding the context, as well as the content

Questions for Rhetorical Analysis Who is the author/speaker? Who is the author/speaker? What is the purpose of writing? What is the occasion that gives rise to the writing? What is the purpose of writing? What is the occasion that gives rise to the writing? Who is the intended audience? Who is the intended audience? What is the main argument? What is the main argument? What does the nature of the communication reveal about the culture(s) that produced it? What does the nature of the communication reveal about the culture(s) that produced it? What constructs are involved in this text? How are certain ideas or concepts being constructed within the text? What constructs are involved in this text? How are certain ideas or concepts being constructed within the text?

Identifying Constructs Construct (verb): to build or put together Construct (verb): to build or put together Construct (noun): an idea that has been constructed over time and throughout history (ex. love, beauty, truth, evidence, gender, race, evidence, plagiarism, authenticity, originality, authority) Construct (noun): an idea that has been constructed over time and throughout history (ex. love, beauty, truth, evidence, gender, race, evidence, plagiarism, authenticity, originality, authority) Rhetorical analysis involves identifying the constructs in a text and understanding how those ideas were constructed Rhetorical analysis involves identifying the constructs in a text and understanding how those ideas were constructed

Let’s Practice!

Different “Schools of Thought” or Theories Formalists (symbols) Formalists (symbols) Gender theorists (gender, sexuality, sexual- orientation) Gender theorists (gender, sexuality, sexual- orientation) Marxist theorists (social class) Marxist theorists (social class) Race-based theorists (race) Race-based theorists (race) Post-colonial theorists (nationality, empire) Post-colonial theorists (nationality, empire) Psychoanalytical theorists (unconscious) Psychoanalytical theorists (unconscious) Disability theorists (disability) Disability theorists (disability) Happiness theorists (happiness) Happiness theorists (happiness) Rhetoricians (rhetorical situations, language) Rhetoricians (rhetorical situations, language)

Different “Schools of Thought” or Theories Importance of close reading, quoting, and explaining how you interpreted the quote Importance of close reading, quoting, and explaining how you interpreted the quote Ex. “We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration). Ex. “We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration).

Different “Schools of Thought” or Theories Not mutually exclusive - no need to choose Not mutually exclusive - no need to choose Most constructs don’t fit into these traditional “schools” – potential for original arguments Most constructs don’t fit into these traditional “schools” – potential for original arguments