Rhetorical Analysis

ENG 1520 – Rhetorical Analysis #2

Analyzing a text rhetorically does not simply mean summarizing the argument that a text makes. It means going beyond the text to look at the context in which the text was composed. It means reading the text closely to identify the ways that it appeals to its audience. It means looking at the ways that the audience has responded to a text. Rhetorical analysis is important because it helps you to develop an understanding of both how and why texts are composed the way that they are.

Assignment Instructions

1. Choose one of the articles under Week 4 on D2L.

As you read the article, assess the rhetorical situation (topic, audience, purpose, context and culture). That is, you should explain why this article was written, who it was intended for, and what may have made the subject timely to write about. (Note: this may require you to do some secondary research. Be sure to cite any additional sources you use.)

2. Read the article again. This time, identify how the writer appeals to his/her audience. Some questions you might address include: What values does the author assume that his/her audience shares? Are there any logical fallacies? How does the author present him/herself as a speaker? Be sure to pay close attention to things such as figures of speech and word choice. How do these stylistic features contribute to the argument?

3. Write an analysis that includes a thesis that states the focus of your analysis (i.e. the author’s word choice, use of rhetorical appeals, etc.). In the body of the essay, you should provide textual evidence (direct quotations and summary of relevant passages) from the article that supports the thesis (remember to include in-text citations for quotes and paraphrases). Finally, in the conclusion of the essay, you should make an evaluative claim about the article. That is, based on your analysis, is the article an effective argument?

Submission Instructions

The essay should be in MLA formatting (including in-text citations and a Works Cited page), double-spaced, using 12 point Times New Roman font. The final draft should be 2-4 pages and should be submitted to D2L no later than 11:30 PM Saturday, 17 October 2020.

Content being graded:
– Does the essay contain a thorough description of the article’s rhetorical situation?
-Does the essay identify the rhetorical appeals utilized by the author
-Does the essay make a claim about the rhetorical effectiveness of the text.
– Identify Logos, Kairo, Ethos, and/or pathos being used in the articler

The article being used is “350,000 a year and just getting by” by annie lowry

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/why-financial-confessionals-viral/600358/