Rhetorical Analysis

1. Using the Joliffe Framework Design Rhetorical Analysis

3. Write a brief letter to your parent(s) asking forgiveness for something you did wrong. Your purpose in writing is to regain some lost privilege. Rhetorical Situation

5. This is simply the problem or event causing you to write. Example: you snuck out of the house, so Mom took away your phone and your keys. Wow! That sucks!! Rhetorical Situation: Exigence

7. To write effectively, you MUST consider your audience…their age, gender, educational level, state of emotion, beliefs, needs, experiences, biases, on and on and on…. In this case, your audience is your parent(s). Rhetorical Situation: Audience

9. This is your desired outcome. What do you want your audience to do, feel, believe, etc. after they’ve read your writing? For our example, your purpose is to have your privileges reinstated. Rhetorical Situation: Purpose

11. Supporting your argument using logical reasoning, concrete examples, data, cause & effect statements, comparisons & analogies, etc. “I now know the consequences of sneaking out, so I will not do it again.” “You are wasting money each week paying insurance on my car to sit in the driveway.” “You can’t get ahold of me quickly without my phone.” Appeals: Logos

12. The central appeal of any strong argument must be logical. Appeals: Logos

14. Using YOUR CREDIBILITY to convince your audience; your good reputation, honor, education, experience, dependability, etc What is it about you that makes your audience believe your argument? “Mom, you know I have never done anything like this before, and I have never lied to you.” Appeals: Ethos

15. Using YOUR CREDIBILITY Appeals: Ethos

17. An attempt to persuade the reader through their emotions fear, love, pride, shame, pity, etc. are strong motivators “You never trust me. I try and try and try to please you, but you never give me a second chance!” Appeals: Pathos

18. An attempt to persuade the reader through their emotions Appeals: Pathos

19. Instruction Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAsxyffBqm0

21. You consider which “angle” you’re going to come from first, and second, and then what you’ll say at the end to “sinch” your appeal. Always work chronologically when analyzing a piece of literature; you cannot identify shifts in tone and other elements if you don’t look at it chronologically. Organization/Structure/Form

22. On the surface of the paper…it’s the words, phrases and images you create to make your argument. Surface Features

23. Diction is word choice intended to convey a certain effect denotation is the literal dictionary definition of a word connotation includes an emotional “implied” meaning Surface Features: Diction House / Home Skinny / Thin Cheap / Frugal Police / Cops

24. The arrangement and order of words in a sentence Surface Features: Syntax

25. Sentence Structure Short sentences are often emphatic, passionate, or flippant Longer sentences often suggest the writer’s thoughtful response Arrangement of Ideas in a Sentence Are they set out in a particular way for a purpose? Arrangement of Ideas in a Paragraph - Is there evidence of any pattern or structure? Surface Features: Syntax

26. The use of language to appeal to the senses Simile, metaphor Allusion Alliteration Hyperbole Surface Features: Imagery & Figurative Language