What appeals are used to persuade/move the audience to be receptive to the claim? Who is being targeted?

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt

Rhetorical analysis involves exploring an argument’s rhetorical strategies to gauge the effectiveness of the argument. It’s not an assessment of whether you agree or disagree with the argument itself. Instead, rhetorical analysis requires you to examine the types of appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and how the different parts of an argument come together to achieve a purpose. In short, it is a close look into HOW an author communicates their argument as opposed to focusing on the argument itself.

For your rhetorical analysis you are to choose a song, speech (link to speeches provided), or movie monologue.To make your analysis more engaging, try choosing material that conveys a of message (social commentary). You may need to conduct some basic research on the artist/speaker, and the issue(s) addressed in the song/speech you choose to contextualize your analysis.

If you are analyzing a song it can be from any genre; just be sure the song makes a claim (Note that a claim can range from a socio-political message to life advice). During the prewriting stage, think about the points you wish to make in your analysis. Though the song you choose is completely up to you, it’s in your best interest to choose a song that makes a claim.

Once you have chosen your song, begin analyzing its components:

Artist/Speaker – Who is the artist/speaker? What have they produced? What is their track record? What is their authority to speak on the subject in the song/speech?
Context – Examine the historical, political, social, or cultural situation that the song/speech responds to, or that inspired the song. What was going on at the time the piece was created?
Lyrics/Words – What claim(s) does the song/speech make? What appeals are used to persuade/move the audience to be receptive to the claim? Who is being targeted?
Impact –Is the argument convincing – why or why not?
Organize your thoughts and your writing around a specific, well-worded thesis. The thesis is the most important sentence in your entire essay, so consider it carefully. The thesis can offer either an overall evaluation of the song’s effectiveness, or an encapsulation of its general rhetorical strategy, “With its vivid imagery and haunting track, Wu-Tang Clan’s C.R.E.A.M appeals to listeners’ logic and emotion as the song exposes the underbelly of a money-driven society.”

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