Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

This page focuses on the process of writing a rhetorical analysis essay, providing guidance on how to approach the task and what elements to include. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the rhetorical situation and analyzing the writer's choices in relation to their audience and purpose.

Key points for writing a rhetorical analysis essay:

1. Begin by carefully reading the passage and understanding the rhetorical situation.
2. Analyze the rhetorical choices the writer makes to develop, achieve, or convey their argument, purpose, or message.
3. Consider the exigence, purpose, audience, context, writer, and message of the text.
4. Examine how the writer connects with the audience through ethos, pathos, and logos.
5. Don't just list examples of rhetorical choices; analyze their effectiveness based on what the speaker knows about the audience.

Example: The page references a speech by a feminist supporter at a women's rights convention in Ohio, 1891, demonstrating how to break down its rhetorical elements:

• Ethos: Calls the audience "children," appealing to shared beliefs of respecting elders and Christianity.
• Pathos: Mentions her children being sold into slavery, appealing to the audience's sense of justice.
• Logos: Uses counterarguments to address men's reasons against women's rights.

Highlight: In a rhetorical analysis essay, you should go beyond simply listing rhetorical devices. Instead, focus on analyzing the choices a writer makes for their specific audience and purpose, and evaluate the effectiveness of these choices based on the speaker's understanding of their audience.

This approach provides a solid framework for students learning how to analyze rhetoric effectively and write compelling rhetorical analysis essays.