In academic work, how you present your argument is arguably as crucial as your point itself. Enter: rhetorical analysis. This style of essay doesn’t look at the author’s argument, but instead, how well they present it. Think about it: it’s not always about what you say, but how you say it.
To write a strong rhetorical analysis essay, you need to dive deep into the author’s work. Your goal is to decide if they achieved their desired outcome–persuading the audience. But how?
Keep reading our comprehensive guide below if you want to learn how to write a rhetorical analysis that will impress your peers and teachers.
Step 1 – Understand the Purpose and Audience
So what is a rhetorical analysis essay? It’s different from a conventional essay, which you might be used to writing. It aims to explore how the author (A.K.A. the rhetorician) wrote their work.
Crucially, the work you’re analyzing has to be rhetorical, which may differ a bit from academic writing. In other words, the author’s intentions were to persuade an audience – that’s what rhetoric is. Your analysis could be on any rhetorical situation:
- Speeches
- Academic articles
- Novels
- TV commercials, films, and plays
- Art exhibitions
- Advertisements and cartoons
If you’re analyzing these works, you need to try to:
- Identify the intended purpose of the work
- Consider who the intended audience is and how they might react to the work
- Analyze the context within which the author wrote the text and how this impacts what strategies they used
These points form the main basis of your essay.
Step 2 – Identify the Rhetorical Strategies
All rhetorical work appeals to Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle:
- Ethos
- Logos
- Pathos
The famed philosopher developed this theory in the 4th century BC. The rhetorical triangle outlines the main ways that language can persuade an audience.
Crucially, these strategies are the foundation of rhetorical analysis essays. So, you can start your analysis by identifying where they show up.
Ethos (Credibility)
Ethos is about the reputation of the author regarding the topic of their work. Think of it this way: you’re more likely to watch a movie if it stars your favorite actor. You already know you like their films, so you trust that you’ll enjoy their newest work!
Let’s explore a more professional example. You’re more likely to buy sneakers from Adidas than from a startup you’ve never heard of.
The ethical appeal relies on the authority of the author to persuade the reader. They may use various rhetorical devices:
- Presenting themselves as an authority on their subject
- Highlighting how impeccable their behavior is, making a moral argument
- Presenting themselves as an expert by listing their qualifications or experience
Start by going through the text and highlighting any part where the writer establishes ethos. You can use three different colors to categorize the three appeals.
Pathos (Emotional Appeal)
Pathos is all about emotions. Humans are emotional creatures, at heart. So, this rhetorical appeal attempts to elicit an emotional response from the reader.
Think about those charity ads you see on TV. They use upsetting, vivid imagery and passionate language, telling personal stories that compel you to donate money. This is what’s known as a pathetic appeal.
Go through the text with a different highlighter pen and highlight areas where pathos shows up in the text.
Logos (Logical Appeal)
The last of the rhetorical techniques is logos or logic. Logos appeals to practical reasoning, supported by data and evidence. The author must use a reasoned argument that follows a logical structure. This is far more likely to convince their audience that they are correct.
Logos is what most academic texts rely on. Emotional appeals are out of the question. You don’t see academic researchers trying to tug at your heartstrings; they have to rely on actual analysis.
Again, you’ll need to go through the text and identify logical appeals.
Step 3 – Analyze the Structure and Style
The next step in a strong rhetorical analysis is to analyze the structure and style of the work. The way the author puts together the text can work to support their argument. Similarly, the style can appeal to a specific audience. Here’s what you should consider.
Structure
Is the text chronological or thematic? How has the author grouped their ideas? This can significantly impact how persuasive it is. For example, arranging a speech chronologically can help the audience follow a sequence of events. Meanwhile, a thematic structure can emphasize specific points.
You can also break down the text into different sections and paragraphs, understanding how each part contributes to the whole. For example, there might be an introduction that sets the stage, then body paragraphs that explore solutions. It might end with a powerful concluding statement that elicits hope or some other emotional response.
Finally, investigate the pacing. Is it fast-paced with short, punchy sentences, or slow and deliberate? This delivery method can impact its persuasiveness by indicating a different urgency of the message.
Style
There are many ways to change the style of rhetorical appeals. The first is the author’s choice of words. Are they using formal or informal language? Technical jargon or everyday vocabulary? This can reveal the intended audience and the author’s attitude about the subject.
And what about their tone? Is it serious, humorous, sarcastic, passionate, or detached? The tone can influence how the audience feels about the message (and indeed, the author). A passionate tone, for example, can be inspiring and motivating.
You can also look at the imagery and descriptive language. Vivid descriptions can appeal to the senses, making the argument more memorable and impactful.
Step 4 – Evaluate the Effectiveness
Steps 2 and 3 are all about going through the text, highlighting, and making notes. Now, it’s time to evaluate how effective these strategies are. Read through it as a whole, and think about it. Did their argument work on you? However, keep in mind that it could be intended for a different audience.
Start by focusing on the author, and think about what their purpose was when writing the text. But then, move onto the audience’s reason for reading the text. Who are they? What drives them? Then, re-read the text again and think about whether the highlighted sections would effectively persuade them.
At this point, you can make notes on:
- How effective the strategies and stylistic choices are
- Strengths of the argument
- Weaknesses of the argument
- Examples you might want to include in your essay
Step 5 – Write the Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Now, it’s finally time to write the essay. Follow these steps to get top marks.
Write the Introduction
Your rhetorical analysis introduction sets the stage for your entire essay. Here, you introduce the text you are analyzing, along with the author. Then, provide an overview of the author’s main argument and key concepts in their text.
At the end of your introduction, provide a hard-hitting thesis statement that demonstrates the main points of your analysis.
Write Body Paragraphs
In the body of your essay, you need to write several paragraphs that provide a clear, coherent argument. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific element of the text you are analyzing.
For example, one body paragraph might focus on ethos techniques, while another focuses on logos.
Remember that, throughout the essay, you should use evidence of key rhetorical concepts to support your argument.
Write the Conclusion
Finally, you need a rhetorical analysis conclusion. This should, like any conclusion, summarize the key points you made during your analysis. Restate your thesis, but present it in light of the evidence you have evaluated.
Then, discuss the significance of the strategies you mentioned in achieving the author’s overall argument.
Tips for Writing a Compelling Rhetorical Analysis
Want to excel in your rhetorical analysis? These three tips will keep your essay on track.
Be Thorough and Detailed
First, you need to ensure that your analysis is detailed. Although you’re working within the framework of the three appeals, you still need to write the essay in your own words.
So, avoid superficial observations and be sure to provide in-depth analysis using specific examples and quotes.
Maintain Objectivity
Your essay is not a rhetorical situation. You don’t need to appeal to pathos! So, make sure your essay focuses on the rhetorical strategy of the author and not your personal opinion.
Keep your analysis balanced and fair.
Stay Organized
Finally, make sure you stay organized. Keep the reader hooked from the first paragraph, before diving into your main idea in the body of the essay. The body should follow a clear and logical structure.
Also, make sure you transition smoothly between paragraphs or sections.
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So, this is how to write a rhetorical analysis. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy!
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