Rhetorical Analysis Essay
For this assignment, you will be writing a rhetorical analysis. As Mick states: Rhetorical analysis is the process of thinking critically about a text to understand both what it means and how it means (182). That being said, you want to examine all aspects of the piece you are analyzing so that you can determine how those elements work to create an effective or ineffective argument. You should review your primary text as many times as you need to in order to understand what it says and how it works (182).
You will be writing a rhetorical analysis that follows the project assignment in the Good Writing text. The assignment starts on page 186. You will be analyzing a speech that has had significant influence on society (186). You may not use the speeches that were used in the sample essays of the text. It must be different. You will want to look at the examples given in the project information section of the text. Make sure to follow the strategies outlined in the text and include the elements described in the chapter.
You may want to start your search on a site like Ted Talk. You could also do a Google search for significant speeches. Just make sure that the speech you choose will allow you to follow all the guidelines of the assignment as outlined in the text.
Remember that a rhetorical analysis has two parts:
A summary of the primary text and the argument it makes
An examination of how the argument was put together, as well as an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of that argument
This essay should be entirely in the third person. A rhetorical analysis includes commentary on whether or not the author/speaker was successful in conveying their argument; it is not an editorial, so it will not include your thoughts about the issue being discussed. You dont want to get distracted by trying to assert your opinions on the issue.
Your essay should include:
An introduction that includes the speaker, title of their speech, and where it was found
A summary of the text being analyzed
Quotes and paraphrases from the text to support your ideas
Support for your interpretation
A conclusion that wraps things up and brings the readers back to the thesis statement
You do not need to use additional sources for this assignment, but if you think doing additional research will help in your analysis, using sources is fine. I would recommend not using more than two additional sources. If additional sources are used, they will need to be cited appropriately and included in an MLA formatted works cited page.
Here are other things to consider when writing your essay:
When quoting and paraphrasing, the sources you need to include citations that follow proper MLA style. You also need to include a works cited page that follows MLA style.
Make sure that you include signal phrases when using the source, and make sure that you analyze the information from the source.
Your essay should include a strong introduction that gives the reader an idea of the focus of the essay; it should also include your clearly stated thesis statement that tells the reader your topic and the point you plan to make about the topic.
The body of the essay should have a logical structure that includes transitions that help the reader follow the essay. Make sure your body paragraphs are unified, coherent, and well developed. Please remember that paragraphs need to have at least five sentences.
Make sure to include a strong conclusion that gives the reader closure and restates your thesis. You may want to include an example in the conclusion that reinforces what you are explaining.
Make sure to spend time revising your essay before submitting it for grading. Also, make sure to proofread carefully.
This essay should be at least three full pages but no longer than five pages in length.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|