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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis | Key Concepts & Examples

Published on August 28, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A rhetorical analysis is a type of essay  that looks at a text in terms of rhetoric. This means it is less concerned with what the author is saying than with how they say it: their goals, techniques, and appeals to the audience.

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Table of contents

Key concepts in rhetoric, analyzing the text, introducing your rhetorical analysis, the body: doing the analysis, concluding a rhetorical analysis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about rhetorical analysis.

Rhetoric, the art of effective speaking and writing, is a subject that trains you to look at texts, arguments and speeches in terms of how they are designed to persuade the audience. This section introduces a few of the key concepts of this field.

Appeals: Logos, ethos, pathos

Appeals are how the author convinces their audience. Three central appeals are discussed in rhetoric, established by the philosopher Aristotle and sometimes called the rhetorical triangle: logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos , or the logical appeal, refers to the use of reasoned argument to persuade. This is the dominant approach in academic writing , where arguments are built up using reasoning and evidence.

Ethos , or the ethical appeal, involves the author presenting themselves as an authority on their subject. For example, someone making a moral argument might highlight their own morally admirable behavior; someone speaking about a technical subject might present themselves as an expert by mentioning their qualifications.

Pathos , or the pathetic appeal, evokes the audience’s emotions. This might involve speaking in a passionate way, employing vivid imagery, or trying to provoke anger, sympathy, or any other emotional response in the audience.

These three appeals are all treated as integral parts of rhetoric, and a given author may combine all three of them to convince their audience.

Text and context

In rhetoric, a text is not necessarily a piece of writing (though it may be this). A text is whatever piece of communication you are analyzing. This could be, for example, a speech, an advertisement, or a satirical image.

In these cases, your analysis would focus on more than just language—you might look at visual or sonic elements of the text too.

The context is everything surrounding the text: Who is the author (or speaker, designer, etc.)? Who is their (intended or actual) audience? When and where was the text produced, and for what purpose?

Looking at the context can help to inform your rhetorical analysis. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech has universal power, but the context of the civil rights movement is an important part of understanding why.

Claims, supports, and warrants

A piece of rhetoric is always making some sort of argument, whether it’s a very clearly defined and logical one (e.g. in a philosophy essay) or one that the reader has to infer (e.g. in a satirical article). These arguments are built up with claims, supports, and warrants.

A claim is the fact or idea the author wants to convince the reader of. An argument might center on a single claim, or be built up out of many. Claims are usually explicitly stated, but they may also just be implied in some kinds of text.

The author uses supports to back up each claim they make. These might range from hard evidence to emotional appeals—anything that is used to convince the reader to accept a claim.

The warrant is the logic or assumption that connects a support with a claim. Outside of quite formal argumentation, the warrant is often unstated—the author assumes their audience will understand the connection without it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still explore the implicit warrant in these cases.

For example, look at the following statement:

We can see a claim and a support here, but the warrant is implicit. Here, the warrant is the assumption that more likeable candidates would have inspired greater turnout. We might be more or less convinced by the argument depending on whether we think this is a fair assumption.

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See an example

Rhetorical analysis isn’t a matter of choosing concepts in advance and applying them to a text. Instead, it starts with looking at the text in detail and asking the appropriate questions about how it works:

• What is the author’s purpose?
• Do they focus closely on their key claims, or do they discuss various topics?
• What tone do they take—angry or sympathetic? Personal or authoritative? Formal or informal?
• Who seems to be the intended audience? Is this audience likely to be successfully reached and convinced?
• What kinds of evidence are presented?

By asking these questions, you’ll discover the various rhetorical devices the text uses. Don’t feel that you have to cram in every rhetorical term you know—focus on those that are most important to the text.

The following sections show how to write the different parts of a rhetorical analysis.

Like all essays, a rhetorical analysis begins with an introduction . The introduction tells readers what text you’ll be discussing, provides relevant background information, and presents your thesis statement .

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how an introduction works.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is widely regarded as one of the most important pieces of oratory in American history. Delivered in 1963 to thousands of civil rights activists outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech has come to symbolize the spirit of the civil rights movement and even to function as a major part of the American national myth. This rhetorical analysis argues that King’s assumption of the prophetic voice, amplified by the historic size of his audience, creates a powerful sense of ethos that has retained its inspirational power over the years.

The body of your rhetorical analysis is where you’ll tackle the text directly. It’s often divided into three paragraphs, although it may be more in a longer essay.

Each paragraph should focus on a different element of the text, and they should all contribute to your overall argument for your thesis statement.

Hover over the example to explore how a typical body paragraph is constructed.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

The conclusion of a rhetorical analysis wraps up the essay by restating the main argument and showing how it has been developed by your analysis. It may also try to link the text, and your analysis of it, with broader concerns.

Explore the example below to get a sense of the conclusion.

It is clear from this analysis that the effectiveness of King’s rhetoric stems less from the pathetic appeal of his utopian “dream” than it does from the ethos he carefully constructs to give force to his statements. By framing contemporary upheavals as part of a prophecy whose fulfillment will result in the better future he imagines, King ensures not only the effectiveness of his words in the moment but their continuing resonance today. Even if we have not yet achieved King’s dream, we cannot deny the role his words played in setting us on the path toward it.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to explain the effect a piece of writing or oratory has on its audience, how successful it is, and the devices and appeals it uses to achieve its goals.

Unlike a standard argumentative essay , it’s less about taking a position on the arguments presented, and more about exploring how they are constructed.

The term “text” in a rhetorical analysis essay refers to whatever object you’re analyzing. It’s frequently a piece of writing or a speech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you could also treat an advertisement or political cartoon as a text.

Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments . Ethos appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Pathos appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel angry or sympathetic, for example.

Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle . They are central to rhetorical analysis , though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them.

In rhetorical analysis , a claim is something the author wants the audience to believe. A support is the evidence or appeal they use to convince the reader to believe the claim. A warrant is the (often implicit) assumption that links the support with the claim.

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How to write a rhetorical analysis

What is a rhetorical analysis?

What are the key concepts of a rhetorical analysis, rhetorical situation, claims, supports, and warrants.

• Step 1: Plan and prepare
• Step 2: Write your introduction
• Step 3: Write the body
• Step 4: Write your conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions about rhetorical analysis

Related articles.

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion and aims to study writers’ or speakers' techniques to inform, persuade, or motivate their audience. Thus, a rhetorical analysis aims to explore the goals and motivations of an author, the techniques they’ve used to reach their audience, and how successful these techniques were.

This will generally involve analyzing a specific text and considering the following aspects to connect the rhetorical situation to the text:

• Does the author successfully support the thesis or claims made in the text? Here, you’ll analyze whether the author holds to their argument consistently throughout the text or whether they wander off-topic at some point.
• Does the author use evidence effectively considering the text’s intended audience? Here, you’ll consider the evidence used by the author to support their claims and whether the evidence resonates with the intended audience.
• What rhetorical strategies the author uses to achieve their goals. Here, you’ll consider the word choices by the author and whether these word choices align with their agenda for the text.
• The tone of the piece. Here, you’ll consider the tone used by the author in writing the piece by looking at specific words and aspects that set the tone.
• Whether the author is objective or trying to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint. When it comes to objectivity, you’ll consider whether the author is objective or holds a particular viewpoint they want to convince the audience of. If they are, you’ll also consider whether their persuasion interferes with how the text is read and understood.
• Does the author correctly identify the intended audience? It’s important to consider whether the author correctly writes the text for the intended audience and what assumptions the author makes about the audience.
• Does the text make sense? Here, you’ll consider whether the author effectively reasons, based on the evidence, to arrive at the text’s conclusion.
• Does the author try to appeal to the audience’s emotions? You’ll need to consider whether the author uses any words, ideas, or techniques to appeal to the audience’s emotions.
• Can the author be believed? Finally, you’ll consider whether the audience will accept the arguments and ideas of the author and why.

Summing up, unlike summaries that focus on what an author said, a rhetorical analysis focuses on how it’s said, and it doesn’t rely on an analysis of whether the author was right or wrong but rather how they made their case to arrive at their conclusions.

Although rhetorical analysis is most used by academics as part of scholarly work, it can be used to analyze any text including speeches, novels, television shows or films, advertisements, or cartoons.

Now that we’ve seen what rhetorical analysis is, let’s consider some of its key concepts .

Any rhetorical analysis starts with the rhetorical situation which identifies the relationships between the different elements of the text. These elements include the audience, author or writer, the author’s purpose, the delivery method or medium, and the content:

• Audience: The audience is simply the readers of a specific piece of text or content or printed material. For speeches or other mediums like film and video, the audience would be the listeners or viewers. Depending on the specific piece of text or the author’s perception, the audience might be real, imagined, or invoked. With a real audience, the author writes to the people actually reading or listening to the content while, for an imaginary audience, the author writes to an audience they imagine would read the content. Similarly, for an invoked audience, the author writes explicitly to a specific audience.
• Author or writer: The author or writer, also commonly referred to as the rhetor in the context of rhetorical analysis, is the person or the group of persons who authored the text or content.
• The author’s purpose: The author’s purpose is the author’s reason for communicating to the audience. In other words, the author’s purpose encompasses what the author expects or intends to achieve with the text or content.
• Alphabetic text includes essays, editorials, articles, speeches, and other written pieces.
• Imaging includes website and magazine advertisements, TV commercials, and the like.
• Audio includes speeches, website advertisements, radio or tv commercials, or podcasts.
• Context: The context of the text or content considers the time, place, and circumstances surrounding the delivery of the text to its audience. With respect to context, it might often also be helpful to analyze the text in a different context to determine its impact on a different audience and in different circumstances.

An author will use claims, supports, and warrants to build the case around their argument, irrespective of whether the argument is logical and clearly defined or needs to be inferred by the audience:

• Claim: The claim is the main idea or opinion of an argument that the author must prove to the intended audience. In other words, the claim is the fact or facts the author wants to convince the audience of. Claims are usually explicitly stated but can, depending on the specific piece of content or text, be implied from the content. Although these claims could be anything and an argument may be based on a single or several claims, the key is that these claims should be debatable.
• Support: The supports are used by the author to back up the claims they make in their argument. These supports can include anything from fact-based, objective evidence to subjective emotional appeals and personal experiences used by the author to convince the audience of a specific claim. Either way, the stronger and more reliable the supports, the more likely the audience will be to accept the claim.
• Warrant: The warrants are the logic and assumptions that connect the supports to the claims. In other words, they’re the assumptions that make the initial claim possible. The warrant is often unstated, and the author assumes that the audience will be able to understand the connection between the claims and supports. In turn, this is based on the author’s assumption that they share a set of values and beliefs with the audience that will make them understand the connection mentioned above. Conversely, if the audience doesn’t share these beliefs and values with the author, the argument will not be that effective.

Appeals are used by authors to convince their audience and, as such, are an integral part of the rhetoric and are often referred to as the rhetorical triangle. As a result, an author may combine all three appeals to convince their audience:

• Ethos: Ethos represents the authority or credibility of the author. To be successful, the author needs to convince the audience of their authority or credibility through the language and delivery techniques they use. This will, for example, be the case where an author writing on a technical subject positions themselves as an expert or authority by referring to their qualifications or experience.
• Logos: Logos refers to the reasoned argument the author uses to persuade their audience. In other words, it refers to the reasons or evidence the author proffers in substantiation of their claims and can include facts, statistics, and other forms of evidence. For this reason, logos is also the dominant approach in academic writing where authors present and build up arguments using reasoning and evidence.
• Pathos: Through pathos, also referred to as the pathetic appeal, the author attempts to evoke the audience’s emotions through the use of, for instance, passionate language, vivid imagery, anger, sympathy, or any other emotional response.

To write a rhetorical analysis, you need to follow the steps below:

With a rhetorical analysis, you don’t choose concepts in advance and apply them to a specific text or piece of content. Rather, you’ll have to analyze the text to identify the separate components and plan and prepare your analysis accordingly.

Here, it might be helpful to use the SOAPSTone technique to identify the components of the work. SOAPSTone is a common acronym in analysis and represents the:

• Speaker . Here, you’ll identify the author or the narrator delivering the content to the audience.
• Occasion . With the occasion, you’ll identify when and where the story takes place and what the surrounding context is.
• Audience . Here, you’ll identify who the audience or intended audience is.
• Purpose . With the purpose, you’ll need to identify the reason behind the text or what the author wants to achieve with their writing.
• Subject . You’ll also need to identify the subject matter or topic of the text.
• Tone . The tone identifies the author’s feelings towards the subject matter or topic.

Apart from gathering the information and analyzing the components mentioned above, you’ll also need to examine the appeals the author uses in writing the text and attempting to persuade the audience of their argument. Moreover, you’ll need to identify elements like word choice, word order, repetition, analogies, and imagery the writer uses to get a reaction from the audience.

Once you’ve gathered the information and examined the appeals and strategies used by the author as mentioned above, you’ll need to answer some questions relating to the information you’ve collected from the text. The answers to these questions will help you determine the reasons for the choices the author made and how well these choices support the overall argument.

Here, some of the questions you’ll ask include:

• What was the author’s intention?
• Who was the intended audience?
• What is the author’s argument?
• What strategies does the author use to build their argument and why do they use those strategies?
• What appeals the author uses to convince and persuade the audience?
• What effect the text has on the audience?

Keep in mind that these are just some of the questions you’ll ask, and depending on the specific text, there might be others.

Once you’ve done your preparation, you can start writing the rhetorical analysis. It will start off with an introduction which is a clear and concise paragraph that shows you understand the purpose of the text and gives more information about the author and the relevance of the text.

The introduction also summarizes the text and the main ideas you’ll discuss in your analysis. Most importantly, however, is your thesis statement . This statement should be one sentence at the end of the introduction that summarizes your argument and tempts your audience to read on and find out more about it.

After your introduction, you can proceed with the body of your analysis. Here, you’ll write at least three paragraphs that explain the strategies and techniques used by the author to convince and persuade the audience, the reasons why the writer used this approach, and why it’s either successful or unsuccessful.

You can structure the body of your analysis in several ways. For example, you can deal with every strategy the author uses in a new paragraph, but you can also structure the body around the specific appeals the author used or chronologically.

No matter how you structure the body and your paragraphs, it’s important to remember that you support each one of your arguments with facts, data, examples, or quotes and that, at the end of every paragraph, you tie the topic back to your original thesis.

Finally, you’ll write the conclusion of your rhetorical analysis. Here, you’ll repeat your thesis statement and summarize the points you’ve made in the body of your analysis. Ultimately, the goal of the conclusion is to pull the points of your analysis together so you should be careful to not raise any new issues in your conclusion.

After you’ve finished your conclusion, you’ll end your analysis with a powerful concluding statement of why your argument matters and an invitation to conduct more research if needed.

A rhetorical analysis aims to explore the goals and motivations of an author, the techniques they’ve used to reach their audience, and how successful these techniques were. Although rhetorical analysis is most used by academics as part of scholarly work, it can be used to analyze any text including speeches, novels, television shows or films, advertisements, or cartoons.

The steps to write a rhetorical analysis include:

Your rhetorical analysis introduction is a clear and concise paragraph that shows you understand the purpose of the text and gives more information about the author and the relevance of the text. The introduction also summarizes the text and the main ideas you’ll discuss in your analysis.

Ethos represents the authority or credibility of the author. To be successful, the author needs to convince the audience of their authority or credibility through the language and delivery techniques they use. This will, for example, be the case where an author writing on a technical subject positions themselves as an expert or authority by referring to their qualifications or experience.

Appeals are used by authors to convince their audience and, as such, are an integral part of the rhetoric and are often referred to as the rhetorical triangle. The 3 types of appeals are ethos, logos, and pathos.

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay–Examples & Template

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

A rhetorical analysis essay is, as the name suggests, an analysis of someone else’s writing (or speech, or advert, or even cartoon) and how they use not only words but also rhetorical techniques to influence their audience in a certain way. A rhetorical analysis is less interested in what the author is saying and more in how they present it, what effect this has on their readers, whether they achieve their goals, and what approach they use to get there. 

Its structure is similar to that of most essays: An Introduction presents your thesis, a Body analyzes the text you have chosen, breaks it down into sections and explains how arguments have been constructed and how each part persuades, informs, or entertains the reader, and a Conclusion section sums up your evaluation. 

Note that your personal opinion on the matter is not relevant for your analysis and that you don’t state anywhere in your essay whether you agree or disagree with the stance the author takes.

In the following, we will define the key rhetorical concepts you need to write a good rhetorical analysis and give you some practical tips on where to start.

Key Rhetorical Concepts

Your goal when writing a rhetorical analysis is to think about and then carefully describe how the author has designed their text so that it has the intended effect on their audience. To do that, you need to consider a number of key rhetorical strategies: Rhetorical appeals (“Ethos”, “Logos”, and “Pathos”), context, as well as claims, supports, and warrants.

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos were introduced by Aristotle, way back in the 4th century BC, as the main ways in which language can be used to persuade an audience. They still represent the basis of any rhetorical analysis and are often referred to as the “rhetorical triangle”. 

These and other rhetorical techniques can all be combined to create the intended effect, and your job as the one analyzing a text is to break the writer’s arguments down and identify the concepts they are based on.

Rhetorical Appeals

Rhetorical appeal #1: ethos.

Ethos refers to the reputation or authority of the writer regarding the topic of their essay or speech and to how they use this to appeal to their audience. Just like we are more likely to buy a product from a brand or vendor we have confidence in than one we don’t know or have reason to distrust, Ethos-driven texts or speeches rely on the reputation of the author to persuade the reader or listener. When you analyze an essay, you should therefore look at how the writer establishes Ethos through rhetorical devices.

Does the author present themselves as an authority on their subject? If so, how? 

Do they highlight how impeccable their own behavior is to make a moral argument? 

Do they present themselves as an expert by listing their qualifications or experience to convince the reader of their opinion on something?

Rhetorical appeal #2: Pathos

The purpose of Pathos-driven rhetoric is to appeal to the reader’s emotions. A common example of pathos as a rhetorical means is adverts by charities that try to make you donate money to a “good cause”. To evoke the intended emotions in the reader, an author may use passionate language, tell personal stories, and employ vivid imagery so that the reader can imagine themselves in a certain situation and feel empathy with or anger towards others.

Rhetorical appeal #3: Logos

Logos, the “logical” appeal, uses reason to persuade. Reason and logic, supported by data, evidence, clearly defined methodology, and well-constructed arguments, are what most academic writing is based on. Emotions, those of the researcher/writer as well as those of the reader, should stay out of such academic texts, as should anyone’s reputation, beliefs, or personal opinions. 

Text and Context

To analyze a piece of writing, a speech, an advertisement, or even a satirical drawing, you need to look beyond the piece of communication and take the context in which it was created and/or published into account. 

Who is the person who wrote the text/drew the cartoon/designed the ad..? What audience are they trying to reach? Where was the piece published and what was happening there around that time? 

A political speech, for example, can be powerful even when read decades later, but the historical context surrounding it is an important aspect of the effect it was intended to have. 

Claims, Supports, and Warrants

To make any kind of argument, a writer needs to put forward specific claims, support them with data or evidence or even a moral or emotional appeal, and connect the dots logically so that the reader can follow along and agree with the points made.

The connections between statements, so-called “warrants”, follow logical reasoning but are not always clearly stated—the author simply assumes the reader understands the underlying logic, whether they present it “explicitly” or “implicitly”. Implicit warrants are commonly used in advertisements where seemingly happy people use certain products, wear certain clothes, accessories, or perfumes, or live certain lifestyles – with the connotation that, first, the product/perfume/lifestyle is what makes that person happy and, second, the reader wants to be as happy as the person in the ad. Some warrants are never clearly stated, and your job when writing a rhetorical analysis essay is therefore to identify them and bring them to light, to evaluate their validity, their effect on the reader, and the use of such means by the writer/creator. 

What are the Five Rhetorical Situations?

A “rhetorical situation” refers to the circumstance behind a text or other piece of communication that arises from a given context. It explains why a rhetorical piece was created, what its purpose is, and how it was constructed to achieve its aims.

Rhetorical situations can be classified into the following five categories:

Asking such questions when you analyze a text will help you identify all the aspects that play a role in the effect it has on its audience, and will allow you to evaluate whether it achieved its aims or where it may have failed to do so.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Analyzing someone else’s work can seem like a big task, but as with every assignment or writing endeavor, you can break it down into smaller, well-defined steps that give you a practical structure to follow. 

To give you an example of how the different parts of your text may look when it’s finished, we will provide you with some excerpts from this rhetorical analysis essay example (which even includes helpful comments) published on the Online Writing Lab website of Excelsior University in Albany, NY. The text that this essay analyzes is this article on why one should or shouldn’t buy an Ipad. If you want more examples so that you can build your own rhetorical analysis template, have a look at this essay on Nabokov’s Lolita and the one provided here about the “Shitty First Drafts” chapter of Anne Lamott’s writing instruction book “Bird by Bird”.

Analyzing the Text

When writing a rhetorical analysis, you don’t choose the concepts or key points you think are relevant or want to address. Rather, you carefully read the text several times asking yourself questions like those listed in the last section on rhetorical situations to identify how the text “works” and how it was written to achieve that effect.

Start with focusing on the author : What do you think was their purpose for writing the text? Do they make one principal claim and then elaborate on that? Or do they discuss different topics? 

Then look at what audience they are talking to: Do they want to make a group of people take some action? Vote for someone? Donate money to a good cause? Who are these people? Is the text reaching this specific audience? Why or why not?

What tone is the author using to address their audience? Are they trying to evoke sympathy? Stir up anger? Are they writing from a personal perspective? Are they painting themselves as an authority on the topic? Are they using academic or informal language?

How does the author support their claims ? What kind of evidence are they presenting? Are they providing explicit or implicit warrants? Are these warrants valid or problematic? Is the provided evidence convincing?  

Asking yourself such questions will help you identify what rhetorical devices a text uses and how well they are put together to achieve a certain aim. Remember, your own opinion and whether you agree with the author are not the point of a rhetorical analysis essay – your task is simply to take the text apart and evaluate it.

If you are still confused about how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, just follow the steps outlined below to write the different parts of your rhetorical analysis: As every other essay, it consists of an Introduction , a Body (the actual analysis), and a Conclusion .

Rhetorical Analysis Introduction

The Introduction section briefly presents the topic of the essay you are analyzing, the author, their main claims, a short summary of the work by you, and your thesis statement . 

Tell the reader what the text you are going to analyze represents (e.g., historically) or why it is relevant (e.g., because it has become some kind of reference for how something is done). Describe what the author claims, asserts, or implies and what techniques they use to make their argument and persuade their audience. Finish off with your thesis statement that prepares the reader for what you are going to present in the next section – do you think that the author’s assumptions/claims/arguments were presented in a logical/appealing/powerful way and reached their audience as intended?

Have a look at an excerpt from the sample essay linked above to see what a rhetorical analysis introduction can look like. See how it introduces the author and article , the context in which it originally appeared , the main claims the author makes , and how this first paragraph ends in a clear thesis statement that the essay will then elaborate on in the following Body section:

Cory Doctorow ’s article on BoingBoing is an older review of the iPad , one of Apple’s most famous products. At the time of this article, however, the iPad was simply the latest Apple product to hit the market and was not yet so popular. Doctorow’s entire career has been entrenched in and around technology. He got his start as a CD-ROM programmer and is now a successful blogger and author. He is currently the co-editor of the BoingBoing blog on which this article was posted. One of his main points in this article comes from Doctorow’s passionate advocacy of free digital media sharing. He argues that the iPad is just another way for established technology companies to control our technological freedom and creativity . In “ Why I Won’t Buy an iPad (and Think You Shouldn’t, Either) ” published on Boing Boing in April of 2010, Cory Doctorow successfully uses his experience with technology, facts about the company Apple, and appeals to consumer needs to convince potential iPad buyers that Apple and its products, specifically the iPad, limit the digital rights of those who use them by controlling and mainstreaming the content that can be used and created on the device . 

Doing the Rhetorical Analysis

The main part of your analysis is the Body , where you dissect the text in detail. Explain what methods the author uses to inform, entertain, and/or persuade the audience. Use Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle and the other key concepts we introduced above. Use quotations from the essay to demonstrate what you mean. Work out why the writer used a certain approach and evaluate (and again, demonstrate using the text itself) how successful they were. Evaluate the effect of each rhetorical technique you identify on the audience and judge whether the effect is in line with the author’s intentions.

To make it easy for the reader to follow your thought process, divide this part of your essay into paragraphs that each focus on one strategy or one concept , and make sure they are all necessary and contribute to the development of your argument(s).

One paragraph of this section of your essay could, for example, look like this:

One example of Doctorow’s position is his comparison of Apple’s iStore to Wal-Mart. This is an appeal to the consumer’s logic—or an appeal to logos. Doctorow wants the reader to take his comparison and consider how an all-powerful corporation like the iStore will affect them. An iPad will only allow for apps and programs purchased through the iStore to be run on it; therefore, a customer must not only purchase an iPad but also any programs he or she wishes to use. Customers cannot create their own programs or modify the hardware in any way. 

As you can see, the author of this sample essay identifies and then explains to the reader how Doctorow uses the concept of Logos to appeal to his readers – not just by pointing out that he does it but by dissecting how it is done.

Rhetorical Analysis Conclusion

The conclusion section of your analysis should restate your main arguments and emphasize once more whether you think the author achieved their goal. Note that this is not the place to introduce new information—only rely on the points you have discussed in the body of your essay. End with a statement that sums up the impact the text has on its audience and maybe society as a whole:

Overall, Doctorow makes a good argument about why there are potentially many better things to drop a great deal of money on instead of the iPad. He gives some valuable information and facts that consumers should take into consideration before going out to purchase the new device. He clearly uses rhetorical tools to help make his case, and, overall, he is effective as a writer, even if, ultimately, he was ineffective in convincing the world not to buy an iPad . 

Frequently Asked Questions about Rhetorical Analysis Essays 

What is a rhetorical analysis essay.

A rhetorical analysis dissects a text or another piece of communication to work out and explain how it impacts its audience, how successfully it achieves its aims, and what rhetorical devices it uses to do that. 

While argumentative essays usually take a stance on a certain topic and argue for it, a rhetorical analysis identifies how someone else constructs their arguments and supports their claims.

What is the correct rhetorical analysis essay format?

Like most other essays, a rhetorical analysis contains an Introduction that presents the thesis statement, a Body that analyzes the piece of communication, explains how arguments have been constructed, and illustrates how each part persuades, informs, or entertains the reader, and a Conclusion section that summarizes the results of the analysis. 

What is the “rhetorical triangle”?

The rhetorical triangle was introduced by Aristotle as the main ways in which language can be used to persuade an audience: Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, Ethos to the writer’s status or authority, and Pathos to the reader’s emotions. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos can all be combined to create the intended effect, and your job as the one analyzing a text is to break the writer’s arguments down and identify what specific concepts each is based on.

Let Wordvice help you write a flawless rhetorical analysis essay! 

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Ever wondered how politicians and advertisers captivate their audience? Rhetorical analysis essays invite you to dissect and examine the persuasive techniques used by speakers and authors to sway their audience. In this blog post, you’ll embark on a journey to understand the purpose and components of rhetorical analysis essays, explore Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle, and learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay that evaluates the effectiveness of persuasive techniques in various texts.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Rhetorical analysis is the process of critically evaluating an author’s argument and persuasive techniques.
• Crafting a rhetorical analysis essay requires careful research, planning, structuring and evaluation of text’s persuasive strategies.
• Analyses should include examining ethos, pathos & logos to identify strengths/weaknesses in order to assess its overall effectiveness.

What Rhetorical Analysis Essays Are?

A rhetorical analysis essay, often assigned in AP English Language courses, delves into a writer’s, speaker’s, or even a cartoonist’s persuasive techniques, offering you an opportunity to assess their ability to sway their audience. To write a rhetorical analysis, you’ll need to examine Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle, which consists of ethos, pathos, and logos. This type of essay allows you to dissect the author’s intentions, strategies, and appeals, providing a comprehensive understanding of the text’s persuasive power through an actual analysis.

Typically structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion, a rhetorical analysis essay presents your thesis and breaks down the chosen text into sections, analyzing how each part persuades, informs, or entertains the reader. By exploring key rhetorical concepts and the use of moral arguments, you’ll not only evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s techniques, but also bolster your assessment with specific examples.

Defining Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical analysis is the art of deconstructing a text to uncover the techniques and elements employed by the author to persuade their audience. A successful rhetorical analysis essay requires you to understand and examine the rhetorical situation, which includes:

• The audience
• The purpose
• The context
• The constraints

By recognizing the objectives, methods, and appeals to the audience, you’ll be able to construct a solid essay that effectively analyzes the text and its persuasive power.

Adapting the standard essay format for a rhetorical analysis essay involves incorporating an evaluation of the text’s rhetorical strategies within the body of the essay. This includes analyzing the author’s argument, the evidence employed to support it, and the overall effectiveness of the argument. Proper citations are essential to support your analysis and demonstrate your understanding of the text and its context.

The Role of Persuasion

In rhetorical analysis, persuasion plays a crucial role as it examines how the author uses language to influence the audience. Persuasive techniques, such as emotional language, appeals to the audience’s values and beliefs, and logical arguments, can significantly impact the audience’s perception of the text and increase the likelihood of accepting the author’s perspective or taking action upon their argument.

Assessing the efficacy of persuasive techniques involves examining the extent to which they influence the audience and support the author’s argument. By delving into the author’s intentions and the rhetorical strategies employed, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the text and its persuasive power, enabling you to create a well-rounded, insightful rhetorical analysis essay.

Crafting Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Crafting a compelling rhetorical analysis essay involves diligent planning, research, and structuring in the realm of academic writing. By assembling information, evaluating the appeals, recognizing style selections and details, and constructing an analysis, you can create an engaging introduction, thesis, body text, and conclusion that effectively evaluates the text’s persuasive techniques.

The most essential element of a rhetorical analysis essay is the critical analysis. This includes understanding the text, its rhetorical strategies, and the context in which it was written. By familiarizing yourself with the text and its context, you’ll be better equipped to plan and structure your essay, ensuring that your analysis is insightful and well-rounded.

Planning and Research

Before diving into the writing process, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the text being examined and its context. Investigating the text in greater detail and reflecting on the rhetorical circumstances will allow you to recognize the rhetorical strategies employed by the author, as well as organize your ideas and thoughts for a well-structured essay.

Planning and research are essential steps in crafting a successful rhetorical analysis essay. By comprehending the text, the author’s intentions, and the rhetorical strategies used, you’ll be better equipped to create a compelling essay that effectively analyzes and evaluates the text’s persuasive power.

Structuring Your Essay

A well-structured rhetorical analysis essay typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Adapting the standard essay format for a rhetorical analysis essay involves incorporating an evaluation of the text’s rhetorical strategies within the body of the essay, including an analysis of the author’s argument, the evidence employed to support it, and the overall effectiveness of the argument.

Proper citations are essential in a rhetorical analysis essay to support your analysis and demonstrate your understanding of the text and its context. In your rhetorical analysis conclusion, synthesize the points articulated in the main body of the essay and communicate a compelling concluding statement that discusses the influence the text has on the audience(s) and broader society.

Writing Tips and Techniques

Creating engaging content for your rhetorical analysis essay involves the following steps:

• Use proper citations to support your analysis.
• Proofread your work to ensure clarity and coherence.
• Analyze the text by considering the author’s argument, the evidence used, and the overall effectiveness of the argument.
• Identify the rhetorical strategies employed in the text.
• Formulate a concise thesis statement to guide your analysis and evaluation of persuasive techniques.

Also, consider reading the text multiple times, looking for the author’s main points, the structure of the text, and any rhetorical devices used. This will allow you to better understand the text and its persuasive power, ensuring that your analysis is insightful and well-rounded.

Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies

Ethos, pathos, and logos are the three primary rhetorical strategies used in persuasive writing. Ethos appeals to the writer’s credibility, pathos appeal to the audience’s emotions, and logos utilize evidence and reasoning to form arguments. Understanding these strategies and how they are employed in the text is crucial for a comprehensive rhetorical analysis.

By examining the author’s intentions, the rhetorical strategies employed, and the context in which the text was written, you can effectively analyze the text and its persuasive power. This will enable you to create a well-rounded, insightful rhetorical analysis essay that evaluates the effectiveness of the author’s persuasive techniques.

Ethos: Establishing Credibility

Ethos refers to how the writer establishes ethos through their character, disposition, and core values, creating an ethical appeal, in addition to their expertise and knowledge in the subject matter. Establishing credibility is essential in generating appeal and shaping the audience’s understanding of the text. Examples of ethos include the author’s reputation, credentials, and expertise in the subject area.

In your rhetorical analysis essay, examine how the author establishes credibility through their character, values, and expertise. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of the text’s persuasive power and help you evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s ethos in appealing to their audience.

Pathos: Emotional Appeal

Pathos, also known as pathetic appeal, elicits an emotional response from the audience, making it a powerful persuasive technique. In rhetorical analysis, the focus is on how the author uses emotional language, personal anecdotes, and vivid imagery to evoke emotions in their audience and persuade them. Examples of pathos in persuasive writing include passionate language, personal stories, and vivid imagery that appeal to the audience’s emotions.

When evaluating the pathos in a rhetorical analysis essay, consider how the author evokes emotions in the audience and the effectiveness of these emotional appeals. By assessing the author’s use of pathos, you can determine the persuasive power of the text and evaluate the impact of the emotional appeals on the audience.

Logos: Logical Argument

Logos, also known as logical appeal, is the use of reasoned arguments to persuade an audience. Authors employ logic and evidence to construct a persuasive argument by:

• Furnishing facts and evidence to back up their assertions
• Utilizing logical reasoning to draw inferences
• Utilizing analogies and metaphors to elucidate their points
• Considering the moral argument when presenting their case

In a rhetorical analysis essay, evaluate the author’s use of logos by examining the logical arguments and evidence presented in the text. Consider the author’s argument, the evidence employed to support it, and the overall effectiveness of the argument when analyzing the text’s persuasive power.

By understanding the author’s use of logos and its impact on the audience, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate the effectiveness of the logical arguments and their role in the text’s persuasive power.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rhetorical Techniques

Assessing the effectiveness of rhetorical techniques is crucial in understanding their impact on the audience and determining when it is more suitable to employ one technique over another. By examining the context and audience of the text, you can evaluate the efficacy of the rhetorical strategies employed and discern their strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding the text’s purpose, intended audience, and constraints is essential in evaluating its effectiveness. By considering the audience’s values, beliefs, and experiences, you can better assess the efficacy of the rhetorical strategies employed and create a well-rounded, insightful rhetorical analysis essay.

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Conducting an analysis of the rhetorical mode of the essay allows you to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the rhetorical strategies employed. By examining the author’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos, you can determine which strategies are most effective and which may be lacking.

In your rhetorical analysis essay, focus on:

• Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the rhetorical strategies used in the text
• This will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the text’s persuasive power
• Help you evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s persuasive techniques.

Considering Context and Audience

Contemplating the environment and audience of a writing piece is critical in making informed writing decisions and evaluating the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies. By analysing the rhetorical situation, which consists of:

By analyzing the structure, including the body paragraphs, you can better understand the text and its persuasive power.

When assessing the efficacy of rhetorical strategies, it is essential to consider the audience’s values, beliefs, and experiences. By taking into account the context and audience of the text, you can create a well-rounded, insightful rhetorical analysis essay that effectively evaluates the text’s persuasive power.

Examples and Case Studies

To demonstrate how to effectively analyze and evaluate persuasive techniques, let’s analyze a successful rhetorical analysis essay. In this essay, the author examines a political speech, focusing on the speaker’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience. By identifying the rhetorical strategies employed in the speech and evaluating their effectiveness, the author provides a comprehensive understanding of the speech’s persuasive power.

Through this example, you can see how a well-rounded rhetorical analysis essay effectively analyzes and evaluates the text’s persuasive techniques. By understanding the text, its rhetorical strategies, and the context in which it was written, you’ll be better equipped to create a compelling essay that effectively evaluates the text’s persuasive power.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 3 parts of rhetorical analysis.

Rhetorical analysis involves an examination of the appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos within a text. Through these three lenses, a greater understanding of the message and its effects can be gained.

By analyzing the text through these three lenses, readers can gain a better understanding of the message and its effects. This can help them better comprehend the text and its implications. Additionally, it can also work.

What are the 4 steps to making a rhetorical analysis?

To write a rhetorical analysis, one should consider the rhetorical situation and the claims, supports, and warrants used; identify style choices and details; plan and prepare; then write an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The rhetorical situation includes the author, audience, purpose, and context of the text. Claims are the main points the author is trying to make. Supports are the evidence used to back up the claims. Warrants are the assumptions that connect the claims and supports.

Style choices and choices.

How to write a good thesis for a rhetorical analysis essay?

A good thesis for a rhetorical analysis essay should be concise yet make a strong argument, include the author’s purpose and intended effect on the audience, and use formal language.

It should be clear and direct, and should not be too long or too short. It should also be specific and focused, and should not be too general or too vague. Finally, it should be well-structured and organized, and should be easy to use.

How can I adapt the standard essay format for a rhetorical analysis essay?

To adapt the standard essay format for a rhetorical analysis essay, focus on evaluating the text’s rhetorical strategies within the body of the essay and use a formal tone.

Make sure to include a clear conclusion in the first sentence without introducing any unnecessary content.

What is the importance of understanding the text and its context before starting the writing process?

Understanding the text and its context prior to starting the writing process is essential in order to ensure that an analysis is accurate and all-encompassing. It also allows for a more effective evaluation of the persuasive power of the text.

By breaking the text into paragraphs, readers can more easily follow the argument and understand the points being made. This makes the text easier to read and more persuasive.

In conclusion, rhetorical analysis essays offer a unique opportunity to dissect and examine the persuasive techniques used by authors and speakers to sway their audience.

By understanding the purpose and components of rhetorical analysis essays, exploring Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle, and learning how to craft a compelling essay that evaluates the effectiveness of persuasive techniques in various texts, you’ll be well-equipped to create a well-rounded, insightful rhetorical analysis essay that effectively analyzes and evaluates the text’s persuasive power.

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

3-minute read

• 22nd August 2023

A rhetorical analysis essay is a type of academic writing that analyzes how authors use language, persuasion techniques , and other rhetorical strategies to communicate with their audience. In this post, we’ll review how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, including:

• Understanding the assignment guidelines
• Introducing your essay topic
• Examining the rhetorical strategies
• Summarizing your main points

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to rhetorical analysis.

What Is a Rhetorical Strategy?

A rhetorical strategy is a deliberate approach or technique a writer uses to convey a message and/or persuade the audience. A rhetorical strategy typically involves using language, sentence structure, and tone/style to influence the audience to think a certain way or understand a specific point of view. Rhetorical strategies are especially common in advertisements, speeches, and political writing, but you can also find them in many other types of literature.

1.   Understanding the Assignment Guidelines

Before you begin your rhetorical analysis essay, make sure you understand the assignment and guidelines. Typically, when writing a rhetorical analysis, you should approach the text objectively, focusing on the techniques the author uses rather than expressing your own opinions about the topic or summarizing the content. Thus, it’s essential to discuss the rhetorical methods used and then back up your analysis with evidence and quotations from the text.

2.   Introducing Your Essay Topic

Introduce your essay by providing some context about the text you’re analyzing. Give a brief overview of the author, intended audience, and purpose of the writing. You should also clearly state your thesis , which is your main point or argument about how and why the author uses rhetorical strategies. Try to avoid going into detail on any points or diving into specific examples – the introduction should be concise, and you’ll be providing a much more in-depth analysis later in the text.

3.   Examining the Rhetorical Strategies

In the body paragraphs, analyze the rhetorical strategies the author uses. Here are some common rhetorical strategies to include in your discussion:

●  Ethos : Establishing trust between the writer and the audience by appealing to credibility and ethics

●  Pathos : Appealing to the audience’s emotions and values

●  Logos : Employing logic, reason, and evidence to appeal to the reader

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●  Diction : Deliberately choosing specific language and vocabulary

●  Syntax : Structuring and arranging sentences in certain ways

●  Tone : Conveying attitude or mood in certain ways

●  Literary Devices : Using metaphors, similes, analogies , repetition, etc.

Keep in mind that for a rhetorical analysis essay, you’re not usually required to find examples of all of the above rhetorical strategies. But for each one you do analyze, consider how it contributes to the author’s purpose, how it influences the audience, and what emotions or thoughts it could evoke in the reader.

4.   Summarizing Your Main Points

In your conclusion , sum up the main points of your analysis and restate your thesis. Without introducing any new points (such as topics or ideas you haven’t already covered in the main body of your essay), summarize the overall impact that the author’s rhetorical strategies likely had on their intended audience.

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Posted on 11th July 2019

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis: A Step-by-Step Student Guide 

By Cite This For Me

If you’ve never written a rhetorical analysis, you’re not alone. Rhetorical analysis essays can be a struggle because if you’re unfamiliar with them. Plus, these essays are complex and challenging.

But don’t worry—we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll explain:

• Exactly what a rhetorical analysis is (and isn’t).
• How to read and plan your essay.
• How to write a rhetorical analysis, step-by-step.

We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

What is a rhetorical analysis?

Rhetorical analysis requires you to evaluate the work of another author. You must analyze the author’s purpose, as well as the strategies the author uses to achieve this purpose.

This type of essay is not a summary . You shouldn’t rehash what you read in the article or literary work, and you shouldn’t simply interpret the meaning of the text.

Here’s the bottom line: Instead of explaining what the author writes, you need to explain how the author writes. This requires higher-level thinking, which is why you’ll see rhetorical analysis essays on tests and other standardized exams.

How to read critically

The first step to writing a rhetorical analysis is reading. Carefully read through the article(s) or literary work(s) you’ve been assigned to determine the main idea of the author’s argument.

After this initial read-through, read the text(s) again — this time analyzing the author’s use of rhetoric.

Guide your analysis with questions like:

• What is the author’s thesis or overall argument?
• What is the author’s purpose for writing this particular document, speech, etc.?
• Who is the author’s target audience?
• How does the author arrange and connect ideas? Chronologically? Cause and effect? Compare and contrast?
• Does the author repeat important terms?
• How does the writer use punctuation? Does she incorporate fragments or run-ons? Are her sentences declarative, exclamatory, or imperative? What effect does this achieve?
• Does the writer use dialogue and/or quotations? Why?
• What is the effect of the author’s word choice, tone, and diction? Is the language formal or informal? Does the author use slang or technical terminology?
• Does the writer use italics, underlining, or parentheses? Why?
• How does the author use ethos, pathos, and/or logos? Are these appeals effective? Why or why not?

As you consider your answers to these questions, jot down notes on a sheet of scratch paper. And note that this list of questions isn’t exhaustive: If you notice another technique the author is using, be sure to address that as well!

The goal here is to break the text into much smaller elements, then analyze how and why the author incorporated these elements. What effect did the author’s various strategies achieve? Did the author fulfill her purpose?

How to plan your rhetorical essay

Start by crafting the thesis for your rhetorical analysis. In your thesis, you should briefly mention the author’s purpose and main argument, then list 3 to 4 of the main rhetorical devices the author uses.

What if the author used more than 3 to 4 devices? Choose the strategies that you feel have the strongest supporting evidence. Look for quotes and examples you can use to prove your point.

For each of the rhetorical strategies you select, you’ll need to gather examples from the text. Consider why the author used this device and the overall effect it achieved. You can also evaluate how effectively you feel the author implemented this strategy.

Don’t forget to include an in-text citation when quoting the author or citing a specific fact or statement from the author’s works. You’ll also need a full list of references at the end of your paper. If you need help, try the Cite This For Me Harvard referencing tool and guide. Other styles are also available.

How to write your rhetorical analysis: Step-by-step tips

Once you’ve planned your essay, it’s time to start writing. Here’s a look at each step in the writing process.

Introduction

In your intro, provide any necessary background information related to the author or the topics covered by the author.

You also need to include your thesis, referencing the author’s main point or purpose and the rhetorical devices he used to achieve this purpose.

The bulk of your essay should be the body paragraphs, so keep your intro short and sweet.

Body paragraphs

The easiest way to organize your body paragraphs is to devote one body paragraph to each rhetorical strategy mentioned in your thesis. These paragraphs should appear in the same order in which you listed the rhetorical devices in your thesis.

Each body paragraph needs its own topic sentence that clearly states what rhetorical device will be covered, as well as the device’s overall purpose.

Next, you should provide several examples demonstrating the author’s use of the device. Make sure you also explain how each example illustrates the technique being discussed.

You should then analyze the author’s use of rhetoric:

• Why did the author choose to use this rhetorical strategy?
• How does this rhetorical strategy help advance the author’s purpose?
• What was the overall effect of this rhetorical strategy?

Your conclusion should briefly restate your main points. Connect the rhetorical devices you analyzed throughout the essay, explaining their overall effect on the reader.

In your final sentence, apply your argument on a higher level: Why does it matter? How does it relate to the real world? What’s the importance of the speech or text you analyzed?

Now that you’ve written your conclusion, you’re all done, right? Not so fast—it’s essential to devote some time to revising and editing your essay.

Pay attention to grammar, spelling, word usage, and the flow of ideas. Are all of your ideas logically connected? Did you use transitions? Is your paper clear and concise? If you can confidently answer, “Yes” to these questions, now you’re done.

Final thoughts on the rhetorical analysis essay

Writing a rhetorical analysis isn’t quite as complicated as it seems. To ace your next rhetorical analysis essay, simply:

• Read carefully, taking notes on the author’s use of rhetoric as you go.
• Based on your notes, construct your thesis and build a plan. Select 3 to 4 rhetorical devices to discuss in your essay, along with textual examples of each.
• Write your intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Avoid summarizing! Instead, you’re analyzing and evaluating the author’s use of rhetorical devices.
• Don’t forget to proofread!

Following these tips will help your critical reading, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills shine.

Cite This For Me can help you create references in thousands of styles. Whether that be MLA citations , Chicago style references, APA citations , or more, Cite This For Me can help!

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Last Updated: January 27, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,376,232 times.

A rhetorical analysis can be written about other texts, television shows, films, collections of artwork, or a variety of other communicative mediums that attempt to make a statement to an intended audience. In order to write a rhetorical analysis, you need to be able to determine how the creator of the original work attempts to make his or her argument. You can also include information about whether or not that argument is successful. To learn more about the right way to write a rhetorical analysis, continue reading.

Gathering Information

• The speaker refers to the first and last name of the writer. If the writer has any credentials that lend to his or her authority on the matter at hand, you should also briefly consider those. Note that if the narrator is different from the writer, though, it could also refer to the narrator.
• The occasion mostly refers to the type of text and the context under which the text was written. For instance, there is a big difference between an essay written for a scholarly conference and a letter written to an associate in the field.
• The audience is who the text was written for. This is related to the occasion, since the occasion can include details about the audience. In the example above, the audience would be a conference of scholars versus an associate in the field.
• The purpose refers to what the writer wants to accomplish in the text. It usually includes selling a product or point of view.
• The subject is simply the topic the writer discusses in the text.

• Ethos, or ethical appeals, rely on the writer's credibility and character in the garnering of approval. Mentions of a writer's character or qualifications usually qualify as ethos. For instance, if a family therapist with 20 years of practice writes an article on improving familial relations, mention of that experience would be using ethos. Despite their name, these appeals don't have anything to do with "ethics" as we usually think of them.
• Logos, or logical appeals, use reason to make an argument. Most academic discourse should make heavy use of logos. A writer who supports an argument with evidence, data, and undeniable facts uses logos.
• Pathos, or pathetic appeals, seek to evoke emotion in order to gain approval. These emotions can include anything from sympathy and anger to the desire for love. If an article about violent crime provides personal, human details about victims of violent crime, the writer is likely using pathos.

• Analogies and figurative language, including metaphors and similes, demonstrate an idea through comparison.
• Repetition of a certain point or idea is used to make that point seem more memorable.
• Imagery often affects pathos. The image of a starving child in a low income country can be a powerful way of evoking compassion or anger.
• Diction refers to word choice. Emotionally-charged words have greater impact, and rhythmic word patterns can establish a theme more effectively.
• Tone essentially means mood or attitude. A sarcastic essay is vastly different from a scientific one, but depending on the situation, either tone could be effective.
• Addressing the opposition demonstrates that the writer is not afraid of the opposing viewpoint. It also allows the writer to strengthen his or her own argument by cutting down the opposing one. This is especially powerful when the author contrasts a strong viewpoint he or she holds with a weak viewpoint on the opposing side.

• Ask yourself how the rhetorical strategies of appeals and style help the author achieve his or her purpose. Determine if any of these strategies fail and hurt the author instead of helping.
• Speculate on why the author may have chosen those rhetorical strategies for that audience and that occasion. Determine if the choice of strategies may have differed for a different audience or occasion.
• Remember that in a rhetorical analysis, you do not need to agree with the argument being presented. Your task is to analyze how well the author uses the appeals to present her or his argument.

Writing the Introduction

• By letting the reader know that your paper is a rhetorical analysis, you let him or her know exactly what to expect. If you do not let the reader know this information beforehand, he or she may expect to read an evaluative argument instead.
• Do not simply state, "This paper is a rhetorical analysis." Weave the information into the introduction as naturally as possible.
• Note that this may not be necessary if you are writing a rhetorical analysis for an assignment that specifically calls for a rhetorical analysis.

• The introduction is a good place to give a quick summary of the document. Keep it quick, though. Save the majority of the details for your body paragraphs, since most of the details will be used in defending your analysis.

• You do not necessarily need to mention these details in this order. Include the details in a matter that makes sense and flows naturally within your introductory paragraph.

• Try stating which rhetorical techniques the writer uses in order to move people toward his or her desired purpose. Analyze how well these techniques accomplish this goal.
• Consider narrowing the focus of your essay. Choose one or two design aspects that are complex enough to spend an entire essay analyzing.
• Think about making an original argument. If your analysis leads you to make a certain argument about the text, focus your thesis and essay around that argument and provide support for it throughout the body of your paper.
• Try to focus on using words such as "effective" or "ineffective" when composing your thesis, rather than "good" or "bad." You want to avoid seeming like you are passing value judgments.

Writing the Body

• The order of logos, ethos, and pathos is not necessarily set in stone. If you intend to focus on one more than the other two, you could briefly cover the two lesser appeals in the first two sections before elaborating on the third in greater detail toward the middle and end of the paper.
• For logos, identify at least one major claim and evaluate the document's use of objective evidence.
• For ethos, analyze how the writer or speaker uses his or her status as an "expert" to enhance credibility.
• For pathos, analyze any details that alter the way that the viewer or reader may feel about the subject at hand. Also analyze any imagery used to appeal to aesthetic senses, and determine how effective these elements are.
• Wrap things up by discussing the consequences and overall impact of these three appeals.

• Start from the beginning of the document and work your way through to the end. Present details about the document and your analysis of those details in the order the original document presents them in.
• The writer of the original document likely organized the information carefully and purposefully. By addressing the document in this order, your analysis is more likely to make more coherent sense by the end of your paper.

• Evidence often include a great deal of direct quotation and paraphrasing.
• Point to spots in which the author mentioned his or her credentials to explain ethos. Identify emotional images or words with strong emotional connotations as ways of supporting claims to pathos. Mention specific data and facts used in analysis involving logos.

• Avoid use of the first-person words "I" and "we." Stick to the more objective third-person.

Writing the Conclusion

• When restating your thesis, you should be able to quickly analyze how the original author's purpose comes together.
• When restating your thesis, try to bring more sophistication or depth to it than you had in the beginning. What can the audience now understand about your thesis that they would not have without reading your analysis?

• Keep this information brief. You spent an entire essay supporting your thesis, so these restatements of your main ideas should only serve as summaries of your support.

• Indicate what that research must entail and how it would help.
• Also state why the subject matter is important enough to continue researching and how it has significance to the real world.

Writing Help

Community Q&A

• Avoid the use of "In conclusion..." While many writers may be taught to end conclusion paragraphs with this phrase as they first learn to write essays, you should never include this phrase in an essay written at a higher academic level. This phrase and the information that usually follows it is empty information that only serves to clutter up your final paragraph. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Do not introduce any new information in your conclusion. Summarize the important details of the essay. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Do not argue in an analysis. Focus on the "how" they made their point, not if it's good or not. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/rhetorical_strategies.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Writing-Speaking-Guides/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides/Academic-Writing/Analysis/Rhetorical-Analysis
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/englishcomp1/chapter/text-an-overview-of-the-rhetorical-modes/
• ↑ https://schools.stlucie.k12.fl.us/lpa/files/2019/05/AP-Language-Rhetorical-Analysis-Setup-Resource.pdf
• ↑ https://oer.pressbooks.pub/informedarguments/chapter/rhetorical-modes-of-writing/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/visual_rhetoric/analyzing_visual_documents/organizing_your_analysis.html
• ↑ https://www.pfw.edu/offices/learning-support/documents/WriteARhetoricalAnalysis.pdf

About This Article

To write a rhetorical analysis, start by determining what the author of the work you're analyzing is trying to argue. Then, ask yourself if they succeeded in making their argument. Whether you think they did or didn't, include quotes and specific examples in your analysis to back up your opinion. When you're writing your analysis, use the third-person to appear objective as opposed to using "I" or "we." Also, make sure you include the author's name, profession, and purpose for writing the text at the beginning of your analysis to give reader's some context. To learn different ways to structure your rhetorical analysis from our English Ph.D. co-author, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide

by  Antony W

September 13, 2022

If you’re looking for a guide on how to write a rhetorical analysis the right way, this article is for you.

Journalists and reporters love to throw the word 'rhetoric' around, as in 'political rhetoric' and 'empty rhetoric. The word serves their purpose quite well because its dictionary meaning is 'the art of effective persuasive writing or speaking.'

In this case, rhetorical analysis is the study of how effectively a writer or speaker communicates and how they use various techniques and tools to accomplish it.

As a student in the arts, literature, history, and other similar disciplines, you will be called to write a rhetorical analysis essay on works, mostly nonfiction publications.

This article will take you on a step-by-step journey through the exciting world of rhetorical analysis, what form your assignment should take, and how you can ensure that your own writing passes the threshold of great rhetoric.

What Is a Rhetorical Analysis

Given that rhetoric is the study of how writers use words to influence an audience, a rhetorical analysis is a detailed breakdown of how a writer achieves his goal in a written work.

Specifically, it is an essay that breaks down such a work into parts and shows each plays a part individually and in the whole to bring about the intended effect.

Even though we refer to nonfiction works, any type of communication can be subjected to this form of analysis.

A politician's speech might be weighed based on how effectively he manages to rouse his audience. A video or piece of art might be analyzed based on how the creator managed to express their intended message.

For the sake of simplicity, let us retain the word ‘writer’ to refer to the person whose work is under rhetorical scrutiny. You can remain the student, and we will limit ourselves to purely nonfiction written work.

Most rhetorical analysis essays are a few pages long of mostly unstructured work, following the flow of ideas as you (the one analyzing) sees fit.

Just as you are analyzing how another writer is effectively communicating, you are also striving to pass on your own ideas successfully.

What a rhetorical analysis is not: it is not a summary of a published work.

You are not seeking to reword the work, not summarize the message for readers. You will not put so much emphasis on what the work has to say as in how it says it.

It is not an easy task to break down a full-length book, journal, article, or other publication into its various literary devices without first having a working strategy. 

 If you would prefer to have expert writers and acclaimed academicians help you complete your rhetorical analysis assignment, get in touch with the team at Help for Assessments.

Parts of a Rhetorical Analysis

Credit: Open English SLCC

Like most other essays, a rhetorical analysis essay is made up of three parts: an introduction , body, and conclusion.

However, these will not be of much help if you have no previous experience. The logical parts of such an essay are much more useful.

1. Thesis/Claim

A rhetorical analysis essay rests on a few major arguments you make based on what your opinion regarding the work is.

Each of these arguments is part of your thesis statement and should come from your strongest claims about the work.

Your thesis statement argues the most important rhetorical features in the work. You can write one or several statements, each one expressing a major point.

Remember to make the thesis statement debatable, specific, and be ready to back it up later in the text with a lot of evidence.

You will essentially be explaining and expounding your thesis statements later in the text.

One approach is to give your whole argument upfront in the thesis statements and then explain them later in the text. This is your claim you will be talking about, not what the author claims in the text.

We can take the example of Horace Miner's article titled Body Rituals Among the Nacirema. To start with, you might summarize your argument thus:

"The article uses sociological imagination to distance the reader with what he considers an inferior culture to effectively deliver the message before he realizes that he is the subject. It also uses a didactic tone to give credibility and emphasis on his message, while infusing an objectivity that would otherwise not be present given the sensitive nature of the topic ... "

The author(s) of the text are in control of what the flow of the text is, what the reader sees, and the overall outcome of the work.

Thus, you should think about discussing the author’s motivation for writing the word, what their goal is, and what their qualifications are.

Talking about the writer establishes what is referred to as the rhetorical situation.

Answer the following questions to help you figure out what you need to mention.

• Who is the writer?
• What issue are they addressing?
• What is their purpose for creating the work? Is it to raise awareness? To critique? Defend? Is it to persuade or dissuade?
• How does the writer go about achieving this purpose? Is it satirical? Humorous?
• What figures of speech does he use?
• What effect does the chosen form have on the entire work?

For example, in the work Body Rituals Among the Nacirema, you might say about the author:

“Horace Miner uses cryptic language to conceal the fact that the culture he is actually talking about is the American one. He makes the reader assume moral superiority in judging what he considers an inferior culture, only to reveal in the end that the subject under scrutiny is himself. In the work, he seeks to address America’s obsession with cosmetic beauty at any cost, even their own health. He does this subtly by using … “

3. Audience

If writing is a performance, the reader is the audience you have to think about to make your communication effective.

The author had to think about who was going to read his work, who it was meant to influence, and what pressure points he would manipulate to deliver the message. 

You can talk about how the writer's strategies influence the audience and help to bring the message home. How do his techniques appeal to the reader?

As it is, look through the writer's lens and share their angle of view to effectively dissect, describe, and critique their approach.

4. Summary of The Text

In as much as the main goal is to describe and analyze how the work puts its message across, the message itself is important for the reader to understand what you are talking about.

The essay is not meant to be abstract but rather practical and with a hands-on approach.

The summary also gives the context of the work. Use your own words to tell what you believe to be the main message of the work, taking care to remain as brief as possible.

Break the message into parts and tell what each part is conveying.

In this section, you should also use descriptive words like metaphor, analogy, common ground, metonymy, euphemism, foreshadowing, among other literary devices.

You will likely have learned these already in class, and this is a chance to prove to your instructor that you were listening.

Taking Miner’s example again, you might have a few statements such as:

The author uses common ground to place himself and the author or a superior level, thus creating engagement to help the reader identify with his message, before finally revealing that he was, in fact, analyzing himself.

This is where you back up your claims/thesis statements with arguments and facts from the text. This is done through emotional appeals, quoting or paraphrasing the text, evidence from other sources and texts, among others.

The goal is to make the appeal as solid and credible as possible.

One of the most important forms of support comes in three forms of claims called pathos, ethos, and logos.

We shall take a deeper look at each and what they entail, but for now, remember that support for the statements takes a structured form.

This support comes in the body of the essay. You will be writing it in paragraphs beginning with a strong topic sentence , then followed by a few explanatory or expository sentences.

Each paragraph will be describing one form of stylistic choice used in the text. The entire support section should flow logically and the arguments link into each other.

A rhetorical analysis isn’t usually long, a few pages at most. Most instructors will have you write about five pages or so.

As such, there is no need for sub-sections in the body. The support sets the stage for the final part; the warrant.

A  warrant in rhetoric writing is the connection between the claim and the arguments made in the text.

It is usually an assumed kind of support or belief, inference, experience, or value that ties the writer to the assumption they share with the audience.

If this belief were wrong, the entire argument would be wrong and out of place.

In our example text, Miner assumes that other Americans share the same superiority complex with him and will thus assume an elevated state, a moral pedestal, as they read the article.

If this were a wrong assumption, his techniques would daily dramatically.

The Rhetorical Triangle: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

The support in a rhetorical analysis essay is dynamic and each part relies on the others to stand.

The three major parts mentioned: ethos, pathos, and logos, form a kind of rhetorical triangle where this relationship is apparent.

A final look at these three devices, also called claims, will help you craft an A-grade essay.

Ethos refers to the author’s authority or credibility as established in the essay.

Thus, an ethical appeal uses the writer’s own credibility, expertise, knowledge, or other position of higher regard compared to his audience to give importance to the work.

This position of importance can be achieved in different ways.

Some authors prefer to negotiate with the audience beforehand, others set forth their credibility with convincing arguments, while others prefer to set up a different persona in the text to assume this authoritarian position to invoke ethos.

• What can you say about the author based on the text only?
• How does the author establish credibility in the text?
• What qualifies the author to write with authority on the subject?

Pathos, as in the word pathetic, refers to an emotional appeal to the audience’s feelings.

Here, the writer would be looking to evoke pity, angler, sympathy, tenderness, sorrow, or any other emotion to elicit a reaction or achieve a goal.

Advertisements and political propaganda do this to great effect.

Pathos is also a valid appeal in academic work, but it must be backed by a lot of facts and hard evidence.

Otherwise, a work rich in pathos but lacking in either ethos or logos is empty and risks polarizing the audience or losing them completely.

As you might guess, logos is the same word used in 'logic.' it involves a practical appeal or demonstration to the mind and intellect of the audience.

Using facts, figures, and fact-based evidence, the writer seeks to draw connections that the audience is meant to see as logical arguments.

Logos is a major device used in scholarly work.

Scientific minds rely on hard evidence and logical facts to prove a point, but it would be unappealing unless it was garnished skillfully with a bit of pathos.

As the rhetorical triangle shows, the three major parts are fully co-dependent. However, a few others are also worth a mention:

Kairos means 'right time.' The most effective writers build the tempo up to the time when they can deliver the main argument.

If it were given too early or too late, it would not have the effect desired and might even be detrimental to the work.

Thus, a good writer knows how to time their acts perfectly. That is kairos in action.

Stasis means 'resting place.'

A writer may move the arguments away from his main idea in such a way that they seem to differ, but will actually rest on one firm point that seems irrefutable.

Such is the mark of a skilled writer, and this common point or foundation is what is called stasis.

Remember to include a ‘Works Cited’ section at the end of your essay.

It will be your bibliography of both the text under analysis and any other sources you have relied on during in the essay. Use an approved citation style for this section.

How to Write a Good Rhetorical Analysis Step-by-Step

Rhetorical essays are typically unstructured, at least not in the way that other assignments can be.

The way to approach them if you want to write an excellent essay is through a planned logical approach. Here is one way to go about it:

1. Pre-writing

The first part, one that you will include in the essay, is a general explanation of what you think the work is about.

Start with a broad approach and talk about the impression the work has had on you.

However, remember that you will later have to defend each of these opinions.

2. Breakdown

Pick out the major strategies or techniques that the writer uses to bring his message home.

They will be techniques you have already covered in your schoolwork, so be lookout as you are reading the work.

3. Craft Your Thesis Statement

Write down a few sentences explaining what the major strategies used in the text are.

As you do, note down the textual evidence you will use to support them.

Remember that you should also be doing this as you read through the work, preferably on a notepad for future reference.

4. Write the Draft

Make sure that you have your thesis statements put down and polished because there will be little room to change them later.

Then write as if you are trying to debate or convince your colleagues regarding the literary devices and techniques in use.

5. Edit and Proofread Your Work

Go through your work once or thrice to make sure that there is a natural flow of ideas. Of course, there should be no grammatical errors in the work. 

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

How to Write a Compelling Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Tips and Techniques

Understanding the rhetorical situation, identify the speaker, analyze the audience, determine the purpose, dissecting the argument, identify the claims, evaluate the evidence, recognize the appeals, analyzing rhetorical devices, figurative language, tone and diction, organization and structure, writing the essay, crafting an introduction, developing body paragraphs, concluding the analysis, proofreading and revising, check for clarity, ensure coherence, polish your style, additional resources, sample rhetorical analysis essays, recommended books, helpful websites.

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach and techniques, you'll be able to master it in no time. In this blog post, we'll explore the essential steps to creating a compelling rhetorical analysis essay, from understanding the rhetorical situation to polishing your final draft. Get ready to impress your audience with your analytical skills!

Before diving into the analysis, it's important to grasp the rhetorical situation of the piece you're examining. This involves identifying the speaker, analyzing the audience, and determining the purpose of the text. By doing so, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the context in which the author is communicating, which will ultimately strengthen your rhetorical analysis essay.

First, determine who the speaker or author of the text is. This is the person responsible for crafting the argument and presenting it to the audience. Keep in mind that the speaker's background, experiences, and beliefs can influence the way they convey their message. Consider the following aspects:

• Expertise : Is the speaker an expert in the subject matter?
• Reputation : How is the speaker perceived by the audience?
• Personal values : What beliefs or values might the speaker hold that could impact their argument?

Next, consider the audience the speaker is addressing. Understanding who the intended readers or listeners are will help you discern what strategies the speaker employs to persuade them. When analyzing the audience, think about:

• Demographics : What are the age, gender, and cultural background of the target audience?
• Knowledge : What does the audience likely know about the subject matter?
• Attitudes : How might the audience feel about the topic?

Lastly, identify the purpose of the text. Understanding the speaker's goal will help you see how their argument is structured and what techniques they use to achieve that goal. The purpose can be to inform, persuade, or entertain, among other possibilities. Ask yourself:

• What is the main message or argument the speaker wants to convey?
• How does the speaker want the audience to feel or react?
• What outcome does the speaker hope to achieve with their argument?

Now that you have a solid grasp of the rhetorical situation, you're well-prepared to start dissecting the argument and analyzing the various rhetorical devices at play in your rhetorical analysis essay.

With a clear understanding of the rhetorical situation, you're now ready to dive into the heart of the text and dissect the argument itself. This involves identifying the claims the speaker makes, evaluating the evidence they provide, and recognizing the appeals they use to persuade the audience. Let's break down these components to help you create a well-rounded rhetorical analysis essay.

Start by pinpointing the speaker's main claims or assertions in their argument. Claims are the building blocks of the argument and are used to support the overall thesis or purpose. As you read or listen, look for statements that:

• Assert a fact or belief : The speaker presents a statement as true or false.
• Propose a solution : The speaker suggests a course of action to address a problem.
• Express a value judgment : The speaker evaluates something as good or bad, ethical or unethical.

Next, assess the evidence the speaker uses to support their claims. Strong evidence is crucial to a persuasive argument, so evaluating its quality and relevance is a key part of your rhetorical analysis essay. Consider the following questions when examining the evidence:

• Is the evidence relevant and directly related to the claim?
• Does the evidence come from credible and reliable sources?
• Is the evidence sufficient to support the claim, or are there gaps in the argument?

In a rhetorical analysis essay, it's essential to identify the appeals the speaker uses to persuade the audience. There are three main types of appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—that you should be able to recognize:

• Ethos : Appeals to credibility and trustworthiness, often demonstrated by the speaker's expertise or character.
• Pathos : Appeals to emotions and values, often using vivid language and personal anecdotes to evoke a specific feeling in the audience.
• Logos : Appeals to logic and reason, often using facts, statistics, and rational arguments to convince the audience of the validity of the claim.

By dissecting the argument and understanding its components, you can better analyze the effectiveness of the speaker's strategies in your rhetorical analysis essay.

Beyond the argument itself, a rhetorical analysis essay should also examine the specific rhetorical devices the speaker employs to make their message more persuasive. These devices include figurative language, tone and diction, and organization and structure. Let's explore each of these categories and their significance in the analysis.

Figurative language is a powerful tool speakers use to convey complex ideas and emotions in a more relatable way. Some common forms of figurative language include metaphors, similes, and personification. When analyzing figurative language, consider:

• What images or comparisons does the speaker use?
• How do these images help convey the message or evoke a specific emotion?
• Do the images contribute to the overall effectiveness of the argument?

The speaker's tone and diction—the words they choose and the way they express themselves—can greatly influence the audience's perception of their argument. In your rhetorical analysis essay, pay attention to:

• The tone of the speaker's voice : Is it formal or informal? Serious or humorous? Angry or empathetic?
• The choice of words : Are they simple or complex? Concrete or abstract? Do they evoke specific emotions or values?
• The impact of tone and diction : How do these elements contribute to the overall persuasiveness of the argument?

Lastly, the organization and structure of the text or speech can also play a significant role in the persuasiveness of the argument. When examining this aspect for your rhetorical analysis essay, consider:

• The overall structure : Does the speaker follow a clear and logical progression of ideas? Are there smooth transitions between points?
• The use of examples and anecdotes : Are they well-placed and relevant to the argument? Do they help illustrate the speaker's points effectively?
• The impact of organization and structure : How do these elements contribute to the clarity and persuasiveness of the argument?

By exploring these rhetorical devices, you can gain a deeper understanding of the speaker's strategies and better assess their effectiveness in your rhetorical analysis essay.

Now that you've analyzed the rhetorical situation, dissected the argument, and examined the rhetorical devices, it's time to put it all together and write your rhetorical analysis essay. This section will guide you through crafting an introduction, developing body paragraphs, and concluding the analysis.

The introduction sets the stage for your rhetorical analysis essay. To write an engaging and informative introduction:

• Introduce the text or speech : Mention the title, author or speaker, and the context in which it was delivered.
• Provide a brief summary : Give a concise overview of the main argument and key points.
• State your thesis : Present your central argument or analysis, focusing on the speaker's rhetorical strategies and their effectiveness.

Remember, the introduction should be interesting and engaging, but also clear and concise, to set the tone for the rest of your essay.

Body paragraphs are the heart of your rhetorical analysis essay, where you'll present the evidence and analysis to support your thesis. To create effective body paragraphs:

• Focus on one main idea per paragraph : Each paragraph should discuss a single rhetorical device or aspect of the argument.
• Provide evidence : Use specific examples from the text or speech to support your analysis.
• Analyze the evidence : Explain how the examples demonstrate the speaker's rhetorical strategies and their effectiveness.
• Transition smoothly : Use clear transitions between paragraphs to maintain a logical flow throughout your essay.

By following these guidelines, you can create well-structured and cohesive body paragraphs that effectively support your thesis.

The conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader and wrap up your rhetorical analysis essay. To write a strong conclusion:

• Restate your thesis : Briefly rephrase your central argument, showing how you've proven it through your analysis.
• Summarize your main points : Recap the key aspects of the argument and the rhetorical devices you've discussed.
• End with a broader implication : Explain the overall significance of the speaker's rhetorical strategies, and how they contribute to the audience's understanding or reaction to the argument.

By crafting a compelling conclusion, you'll leave your reader with a clear understanding of the speaker's rhetorical techniques and their impact on the argument.

Once you've written your rhetorical analysis essay, it's important to proofread and revise it to ensure clarity, coherence, and polish. This section will provide you with some tips on how to improve your essay during the revision process.

Make sure your essay is easy to read and understand. To check for clarity:

• Read your essay out loud : This can help you catch awkward phrasing, confusing sentences, or repetitive wording.
• Ensure your thesis is clear and concise : Your thesis should be easily identifiable and clearly state your main argument.
• Explain rhetorical terms and concepts : If you've used specific rhetorical terms, make sure you've provided clear definitions or explanations for your reader.

By checking for clarity, you'll ensure that your essay is easy to follow and effectively communicates your analysis.

Your essay should have a logical flow and be well-organized. To ensure coherence:

• Use transitions between paragraphs : Connect your ideas with clear and smooth transitions to maintain a logical flow throughout your essay.
• Follow a logical structure : Organize your essay in a way that presents your analysis in a clear and accessible manner.
• Stay focused on your thesis : Make sure each paragraph relates back to your central argument and contributes to proving it.

By ensuring coherence, you'll create an essay that is easy to follow and maintains a strong connection between your analysis and your thesis.

Finally, make sure your essay is well-written and free of errors. To polish your style:

• Check for grammar and punctuation errors : Use a grammar checker or carefully proofread your essay to catch any mistakes.
• Vary your sentence structure : Use a mix of short and long sentences, as well as different sentence structures, for a more engaging and dynamic writing style.
• Choose precise and concise language : Use specific and clear wording to effectively convey your analysis.

By polishing your style, you'll create a professional and polished essay that showcases your rhetorical analysis skills and impresses your reader.

Beyond the tips and techniques provided in this blog, there are many additional resources available to help you further develop your rhetorical analysis essay writing skills. Let's explore some of these resources, including sample essays, books, and helpful websites.

Reading sample rhetorical analysis essays can be a great way to learn more about the structure, style, and techniques employed in this type of essay. Look for samples from reputable sources, such as:

• College writing centers : Many college and university writing centers offer sample essays to help students understand different types of assignments.
• Writing guidebooks : Books on essay writing often include sample essays, which can be a valuable resource for learning how to craft a rhetorical analysis essay.
• Online writing communities : Websites and forums dedicated to writing can be a treasure trove of sample essays and constructive feedback from other writers.

By reviewing sample essays, you can gain a better understanding of what makes a successful rhetorical analysis essay and improve your own writing in the process.

There are several books available that can help you learn more about rhetorical analysis and improve your essay writing skills. Some recommended titles include:

• "The Elements of Rhetoric" by Ryan Weber : This book provides a comprehensive overview of rhetorical concepts and techniques, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their rhetorical analysis essay writing.
• "Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace" by Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup : This book offers guidance on writing with clarity and style, which can be particularly useful when crafting a rhetorical analysis essay.
• "They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing" by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein : This book provides practical advice on effectively structuring your essay and making persuasive arguments, both of which are crucial skills for a successful rhetorical analysis essay.

By studying these books, you can deepen your understanding of rhetorical analysis and hone your essay writing skills.

There are numerous websites that offer helpful resources for improving your rhetorical analysis essay writing skills. Some examples include:

• OWL at Purdue : Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers a wealth of information on essay writing, including guides to rhetorical analysis, grammar, and style.
• The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill : This website offers a variety of resources, including guides on rhetorical analysis, essay organization, and style.
• Grammarly : While not specifically focused on rhetorical analysis, Grammarly offers a powerful grammar and style checker that can help you polish your essay and avoid common mistakes.

By taking advantage of these resources, you can continue to develop your rhetorical analysis essay writing skills and create compelling, high-quality essays.

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Outline, Steps, & Examples

If you are assigned to write a rhetorical analysis essay, you have one significant advantage. You can choose a text from an almost infinite number of resources. The most important thing is that you analyze the statement addressed to an audience. The task of a rhetorical analysis essay is to identify the speaker’s main objectives. However, it is also crucial to work through the rhetorical strategies the speaker uses.

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In this article by Custom-Writing.org experts, you will get to know the SOAPSTone and rhetorical appeals. This is included in our seven-step guide on how to write a rhetorical analysis essay. You’ll find out the essential tips on formatting and formulating the thesis statement. There are also a rhetorical essay outline and examples at the end for your reference!

• ❓ What Is Rhetorical Analysis?
• 👣 Writing Steps
• 👀 Essay Examples

🔗 References

❓ what is a rhetorical analysis essay.

In a rhetorical analysis essay, you have to divide a text into parts and explain whether they work together or not . It is quite different from a usual literary analysis . The task is to find out how successful the speaker is at reaching their objective.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Main Steps

There are several steps you should follow to hit the highest score for your essay. First, you should work with SOAPSTone and rhetorical appeals. Then, you should proceed with basic tasks, such as writing a thesis statement and outline. When you have these done, it’s time to put it all together into the three main parts of the essay.

Step #1: Identify the SOAPSTone of the Text

SOAPSTone is a very handy tool to help you understand the text you are dealing with. The following questions allow you to gather all the information you will need for future analysis.

Step #2: Identify Rhetorical Appeals Used in the Text

Rhetorical appeals are also known as “modes of persuasion” and include ethos, pathos, and logos. They can be understood as tools for making others believe a particular point of view. Some of the most potent examples can be found in advertisements.

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Ethos is related to the speaker’s credibility. Mentioning some impressive qualifications or years of practice reassures the reader of the speaker’s reliability and trustworthiness. It helps to persuade the audience.

For example, a doctor might write an article about the surgery success rate after 30 years of practicing in the field. Demonstrating one’s expertise like this is an excellent example of ethos.

Pathos is all about emotions. Evoking deep feelings in the listeners is a powerful tool, which helps the speaker convince them. The range of emotions varies from love, admiration, and sympathy to anger and hate. Whenever the response from the audience aligns with what the speaker is expecting, it is a win. Usually, it is achieved by using provocative language.

For instance, a mayoral candidate shouts out into the crowd that hundreds of people could lose their jobs if they don’t do something. The speaker aims to make the audience feel resentful of the current situation and sympathetic to a new plan. This way, they are more likely to vote for this candidate since they feel passionate about the promises.

Emotions are not always enough to convince someone to follow you, are they? Therefore, the last crucial mode is logos. Logos is responsible for logic. Appealing to reason is mostly used in an academic environment , but it’s not uncommon in other fields. The speaker could use reliable data , facts, and evidence to convince the audience.

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Using numbers is always a good idea. For example, during the presentation, the speaker can include some graphs and percentages: “Last year, we finished 23% of projects ahead of schedule, saving over two million dollars for our customers.”

Step #3: Formulate Your Thesis Statement

Remember that your thesis statement is considered to be the front page of your paper. When successfully composed, it points out the main idea of your essay. Therefore, it has to be as clear and specific as possible.

You want to include everything you found out about the chosen text in this single sentence. If you didn’t skip the first two steps, it shouldn’t be a problem! A decent thesis statement would look like this:

“In her article, the writer mentions her expertise and up-to-date statistics, and appeals to the readers’ pity to convince them of the necessity of regular yearly check-ups for disease prevention.”

Don’t worry if you still can’t come up with anything decent. try using a rhetorical analysis thesis generator that will give you some ideas of what direction you should take in your writing.

Step #4: Create Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Even though keeping your essay organized is not your most important task, it is undoubtedly helpful! If you don’t want to forget anything and save yourself quite a lot of time, follow our advice and write an outline . This can be especially helpful if you mostly use visual memory.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Introduction, main body, and conclusion create the basic layout of any essay. The main body of the paper includes at least three paragraphs. The rhetorical analysis essay outline also fits this rule.

Carefully go through all the notes you’ve made and mark the main points you want to include in your essay. Think about the evidence you have to support them. Along with the thesis statement, write it all down in a format of a list. When you are done with it, you may use it as a cheat sheet during the next steps of the writing process.

Now, you’re all set up and ready to begin writing your essay!

Step #5: Write Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Introduction

There are several things you need to consider when writing an introduction:

• If it’s not your school assignment, let the reader know that it’s a rhetorical analysis.
• Come up with a hook to interest the reader.
• Don’t forget to mention the text or speech you’re analyzing. You can also drop a few facts about it.
• Think of the SOAPSTone details that matter and include them here as well. You don’t have to mention all of the parts, just the ones that make sense to you.
• At the end of the introduction, write your thesis statement . It brings more clarity to this part of the essay.

Step #6: Write Your Body Paragraphs

As usual, this is where you put all your findings and support them with some facts. Don’t forget that there should be at least three body paragraphs . Since it fits the number of rhetorical appeals, you can go ahead and write about ethos, pathos, and logos. Another way of organizing the paragraphs is to present the text’s details chronologically, meaning from beginning to end. In this case, whatever text or speech you chose, it was probably well-prepared, so it helps your analysis look coherent.

It doesn’t matter which option you prefer, but make sure you provide enough support for your arguments . The most effective way to make it work is to use quotes. Also, stick to using the third-person so that you don’t break the rules of academic writing.

You can see how your main points can be organized most effectively in the rhetorical analysis essay sample at the end of the article.

Step #7: Write Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay Conclusion

The purpose of the conclusion is to sum up the most important findings of your analysis . You need to include your thesis statement here as well, but not word-for-word. Aim to paraphrase it and make it seem more sophisticated. This can be achieved by using new terminology. Maybe there is something the readers now understand from your essay that they couldn’t have before.

Then, in the form of a summary, briefly mention the main ideas that support your thesis. You don’t have to be a professional summary typer , just get your idea across in a concise manner. You might add a few words about the importance of your analysis as well. If you think that this issue is worth further research, write that down too.

👀 Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Examples

Below you’ll find an essay aiming to analyze On Women’s Right to Vote by Susan B. Anthony – a speech regarded as one of the best in American history. In this rhetorical analysis essay example, you can see how to put everything together by following the seven-step guide above. Here, the main body is divided into three paragraphs presenting one rhetorical appeal each.

Here are some other essay examples for you to check out.

• Obama Speech: Rhetorical Analysis and Evaluation
• “Get Out” Movie’s Rhetorical Analysis
• Susan B. Anthony’s Speech: Rhetorical Analysis
• Rhetorical Analysis of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
• Steve Jobs’ Commencement: Rhetorical Analysis
• Blogs on Euthanasia: Rhetorical Analysis
• Rhetorical Writing Analysis of Jenna Berko’s Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

• A rhetorical analysis of one of Hallmark’s commercials .
• Steve Jobs’ speech at Stanford University in 2005: rhetorical analysis.
• The use of rhetorical devices in Gary Shteyngart’s Only Disconnect .
• Rhetorical strategies used in horror film Us by Jordan Peele.
• Analyze Hamlet’s monologues in W. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark .
• Discuss how Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetorical appeals in his Letter from Birmingham Jail .
• Describe the rhetorical devices used in Greta Thunberg’s speech .
• The common rhetorical aspects used in articles of Carolyn Gregoire and Sophie Reeves .
• Examine the rhetoric in Brooks’ Reading Too Much Political News Is Bad for Your Well-Being .
• Analyse the persuasive devices in Google Analytics App .
• Study the application of rhetorical strategies in Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr .
• Compare the lyrics rhetoric in The Times They Are A-Changing and The Wind of Change .
• Rhetorical analysis for applying critical thinking .
• Describe the rhetorical devices used in Confessions of a Female Chauvinist Sow by Anne Roiphe .
• Examine the persuasive techniques in the Gillette commercial We Believe: The Best Men Can Be .
• Compare the rhetorical schemes of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and Emily Dickinson’s Success is Counted Sweetest .
• Rhetorical analysis of Media Control by Noam Chomsky .
• Analyse the persuasive devices used in political debates The Issue of Women and Race (2019).
• Rhetorical appeal in Andrew Cadelago’s film Snack Attack .
• Discuss the rhetorical strategies in Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff .
• Analyse the persuasive devices used in Angelina Jolie’s speech on female empowerment .
• Describe the rhetorical appeals applied by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men to stir up the emotions of the readers.
• Compare the rhetoric of Margaret Fuller and Fredrick Douglass . .
• Body by Milk and Moms Demand Action advertising campaigns: rhetorical analysis.
• Describe the use of three appeals in Coors Light Beer ad .
• Discuss the persuasive tactics in the 1950s advertising with Marilyn Monroe .
• Analyze the rhetorical strategies in Aveeno advertisement .
• Examine the efficiency of persuasive devices in the Stop Bullying public campaign .
• The instruments used to persuade the audience in Anti-Drug Abuse public campaign .
• Explore the rhetorical appeals in Julius Caesar by W. Shakespeare .
• Analyze the persuasive strategies of FIFA franchise .
• Rhetoric of The American Scholar by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
• Describe the rhetorical devices that made Pericles’ Funeral Oration one of the world’s most influential speeches.
• Persuasive techniques in American Crisis by Thomas Paine .
• Analyze the rhetorical strategies used by Linda Hogan in Dwellings .
• Explore the modes of persuasion in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas .
• The Myth of the Charioteer : rhetorical analysis.
• Discuss the rhetorical appeals of Pop Can: Popular Culture in Canada .
• The three appeals in Claire Giordano’s Virtual Promise .
• Rhetorical devices in the film Henry V (1944) directed by Laurence Olivier.
• Describe the rhetoric technique used by Michelle Obama in her TED speech .
• Analyze the persuasive tactics in James Q. Wilson’s Just Take Away Their Guns .
• Compare the rhetorical strategies in Moore’s Idiot Nation and Gatto’s Against School .
• What in the world is a rhetorical analysis? – NC State University
• Rhetorical Analysis – Stanford University
• Rhetorical Strategies // Purdue Writing Lab
• Rhetorical Analysis – Writers Workshop (Illinois)
• Rhetorical Analysis – SAGE Research Methods
• Rhetorical Analysis | Department of English | University of Washington
• Doing a Rhetorical Analysis of a Text (CSU)
• Aristotle’s Rhetorical Situation // Purdue Writing Lab
• Ethos, logos, pathos: Strategies of persuasion in social/environmental reports
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7 Simplified Steps for Teaching How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Jan 20, 2020

I am a big fan of requiring students to practice writing a rhetorical analysis essay . At first, it can be daunting. Even the word “rhetoric” can be difficult to explain at times. If you go step by step through the writing process, your students can master this skill. Plus, they can apply these skills to any essay they will have to write in the future! You can teach How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Step By Step!

Keep reading to get 7 Simplified Steps for Teaching How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay !

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Table of Contents

1. Define rhetoric for your students  

How can students even begin to think about how to write a rhetorical analysis essay without even knowing the definition of rhetoric?

Here is my definition: language that uses techniques and strategies for a specific purpose.

(Check out this Rhetorical Appeals Chart , which includes the definition.) By defining the term before they write a rhetorical analysis essay, you are setting the stage for your students.

2. Review rhetorical strategies

If I just say, “go write a rhetorical analysis essay,” I will overwhelm my students. If I have never taught various devices and strategies that writers use, my students will be lost. One easy way is to teach using a Rhetorical Appeals Chart . By defining and explaining LOGOS, PATHOS, and ETHOS, your students can start to understand how writers accomplish their goals. They can then learn to analyze other strategies and literary devices within the appeals. (Other devices might include imagery, tone, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, oxymoron, etc.) See this LIST for help!

3. Choose a text to read with your students that they can handle

One of my favorite texts to teach is Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” It is an amazing SATIRE with plenty of devices (imagery, tone, irony, pathos, etc.) for your students to analyze. You will certainly want to read this text with your students, especially if they have not been exposed to satire before. The historical context and higher level language of Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal ” can be quite difficult for most adults.

Now, for a simpler and smaller passage, try out Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman? ” Middle and high school students will love her use of imagery, emotional language (pathos), an appeal to her credibility (ethos), etc.

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4. Read aloud, Think Aloud, and Annotate with your students

Too many times, we expect students to be able to understand what they read on their own. Most students need support and explicit instruction. When it comes to writing a rhetorical analysis essay, they need to be guided through the process. First, I suggest taking the time to read the text aloud whatever it is. As students hear you reading, they will more readily understand because of your fluency and tone.

Second, I suggest a Think Aloud . When they hear you analyzing what you are reading out load, they will start to realize that they need to go through this process when they read to themselves. Lastly, annotate with your students. They usually have no idea what they are doing at first. Take the time to note the title, the context, the audience, the purpose, and the strategies the writer uses. Have them underline, circle, and highlight! Whatever they annotate, they can use in their essay 🙂

5. Model how to plan your rhetorical analysis essay

So many times, after they have annotated, we just say, go write the essay. To bridge the gap, you can model what you want from them. You can start with an organizer that helps them focus on comprehending what they annotated. Try SPAUTS ( S peaker, P urpose, A udience, U niversal Idea, T one, and S trategies). Students can then use all of these ideas in their essays!

6. Use a Rhetorical Analysis Template when planning

Students first need a process that includes a reading comprehension organizer like SPAUTS when preparing to learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay. Then, you can further help with writing a thesis using a thesis template.

For example, if you were writing an analysis of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” your thesis could look like this: In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards uses violent imagery, emotional language, and biblical allusions in order to convince his audience to accept Christ and change their ways. Notice: we have included the author, title, strategies, and purpose! Your template could look like the following:

In ________________________(text), ________________(author) uses ______________, _______________, and _______________ in order to _________ (purpose verb) ________(audience) to ________________________________________________(universal idea).

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7. Provide a Sentence-By-Sentence Writing Guide as well as a model essay or body paragraph

I love to use templates. When students can go step-by-step, they will more readily write. It’s like having a blueprint for a house. Even AP or more advanced students need the help! So, what can we do? You can provide a template for what you want! I prefer a sentence-by-sentence guide . Students can choose to use it or not as they write a rhetorical analysis essay; however, I have noticed that good writers introduce their topic/focus, provide support, analyze their evidence and relate it to the purpose, and end with a reinforcement of their ideas.

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By modeling what you want as students write a rhetorical analysis essay, you will more likely get what you want. This process also applies as students write a rhetorical analysis essay. Going through every step above is key to success. Here are some products that may make this process easier:

• Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God Rhetorical Analysis Pack
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• Declaration of Sentiments Rhetorical Devices Analysis Activity Stanton
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Rhetorical Analysis Essay

How To Write A Rhetorical Analysis Essay That Stands Out

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Published on: Jul 17, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

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Are you struggling to write a compelling rhetorical analysis essay that captures your readers' attention?

Don't worry, you're not alone! 

Crafting an effective analysis requires a deep understanding of rhetorical devices and techniques.

In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with the essential knowledge of writing impactful rhetorical analysis essays.

By following our step-by-step approach you'll gain the skills needed to analyse texts, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression.

Let's dive into the world of rhetorical analysis essays and embark on a transformative writing journey!

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What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Rhetorical analysis is a type of college essay in which the writer conducts a deep analysis of an object. 

In this type of analysis, the object of analysis is mostly some kind of book, a movie, or any other type of creative work. 

When it comes to rhetorical analysis, a writer picks a particular subject and analyzes its effects on the surroundings and the target audience. 

It is important to mention that rhetorical analysis can be done on nearly anything that comes to your mind. Be it a billboard, a logo, a motto, or anything else you can think of.  

What are the Five Rhetorical Situations?

The concept of the rhetorical situation is an essential aspect of rhetorical analysis. The following are the five rhetorical situations that you need to consider when analyzing a text:

• Audience : The audience refers to the individuals who receive the message. Understanding the audience's characteristics, values, and expectations is crucial in crafting persuasive communication that resonates with them.
• Purpose : The purpose is the reason why the communication is created. It could be to inform, entertain, persuade, or educate the audience.
• Speaker : The speaker is the person who creates or delivers the communication. The speaker's characteristics, such as their credibility, expertise, and reputation, play a significant role in how the audience perceives and responds to the message.
• Occasion : The occasion is the event or situation that prompts the creation of the communication. The occasion may affect the tone, language, and overall message of the communication.
• Context : The context is the broader environment that shapes the communication, including the cultural, social, political, and historical factors. Understanding the context helps you analyze how the message relates to larger societal issues and trends.

What are the Three Rhetorical Analysis Strategies?

There are three main methods of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. To be successful in persuading someone, you need to understand how to use each of these methods.

• Ethos (Credibility)

Ethos focuses on the credibility and authority of the speaker or author. It involves evaluating their expertise, knowledge, experience, and reputation. By examining the speaker's ethos, you can assess how their credibility influences the audience's perception of the message. 

Look for elements such as professional qualifications, personal anecdotes, or references to establish ethos.

• Pathos (Emotional Appeal)

Pathos involves appealing to the emotions and values of the audience. This strategy aims to evoke specific emotions, such as empathy, fear, joy, or anger, to create a connection with the audience. Analyze the use of vivid language, storytelling, imagery, personal anecdotes, or appeals to shared values and beliefs. 

Consider how these emotional appeals impact the audience's engagement and response.

• Logos (Logical Reasoning)

Logos centers on logical reasoning and appeals to the audience's rationality and critical thinking. It involves analyzing the use of evidence, statistics, logical arguments, facts, and logical structures within the text. 

Assess how the author or speaker supports their claims, presents a logical progression of ideas, and uses reasoning to persuade the audience.

Check out this blog on ethos, pathos, logos for dig deeper into these rhetorical strategies!

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Structure

Below is a rhetorical analysis essay structure for your help.

How To Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay may seem challenging at first, but with a systematic approach, you can effectively analyze and interpret a piece of rhetoric. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft a successful rhetorical analysis essay.

Analyzing The Text

Before you directly hop on to write your rhetorical analysis essay, make sure that you follow some prewriting steps. These steps will make essay writing easy and less time-consuming. 

Some simple pre-writing steps of such an essay are as follows:

• Identify your Target Audience 

Identifying the audience is the most important factor for an essay. Identifying the audience allows the writer to write the essay according to the intellectual level of the intended audience. 

If a writer writes the essay without knowing the audience, all the effort will go in vain as the audience will not understand the essay's purpose. 

• The Subject of the Essay  

Another important thing about a rhetorical analysis essay is identifying and analyzing the chosen subject’s underlying meaning. A writer of this essay type should understand that message and explain it in a few words. 

• Define Purpose 

Defining the purpose of the rhetorical analysis essay provides logic to the reader for the essay. The writer explains the reason behind the composition and what made them choose a particular topic for an essay. 

• Mention the Occasion

The occasion refers to the work and its setting. When analyzing the occasion, two approaches are used, i.e., micro view and macro view. Both these views are used to explain where the occasion took place. 

• Identify the SOAPSTone

The SOAPSTone of a text includes its Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, and Tone. Further elaboration of SOAPSTone is as follows: 

• Speaker: The speaker basically refers to the first and last name of the writer. 
• Occasion: The occasion mostly refers to the type of text and the context under which the text was written.
• Audience: The audience is who the text was written for. 
• Purpose: The purpose refers to what the writer wants to accomplish in the text. 
• Subject: The subject is simply the topic the writer discusses in the text.

These were some basic pre-writing steps for a rhetorical analysis essay. Let’s move forward and see what steps we need to follow to write a good rhetorical analysis essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

An outline is an essential part of essay writing. It serves as a guide for the reader throughout the essay. 

All the information you have gathered so far needs to be organized. A rhetorical analysis outline can help you in this regard. 

A rhetorical analysis essay uses the typical 5-paragraph outline. It has the following elements:

• Introduction 
• Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion 

Let us see what elements are added in these five parts of a rhetorical analysis essay. 

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Introduction

The introduction is the first part of an essay. This part of the essay must be made as attractive as possible. 

The reader can perceive the whole idea of the essay by just reading the introduction. This is why this part should be interesting, as well as expressive. 

Essay introduction usually starts with a hook sentence. The hook sentence is an attention-grabbing sentence that can be a quotation, fact, or even a question. 

The most important part of the essay, the thesis statement, is stated in this part. It is stated somewhere before the last sentence of the introduction.  

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are the scene element in an outline and come after the introductory paragraph. 

In these paragraphs, the writer elaborates on the key elements in detail. Usually, there are three body paragraphs in this type of academic essay. 

Each body paragraph is written to explain a key element. All the facts and evidence the writer has collected for that point are also mentioned in that paragraph. 

Keep in mind a topic sentence is used to start a paragraph. This sentence is just like a short introduction to the body paragraph. It gives the reader an idea about the element that will be discussed in the following paragraph. 

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Conclusion 

After all the information is mentioned in the body paragraphs, the reader expects to see how you represent your final analysis. The writer is supposed to give the final verdict in the last part, which is the conclusion. 

The conclusion is the shortest but the most technical part of an essay. In this part, the entire essay is summarized in such a way that all the key elements are once again revised. 

Also, the thesis statement is reiterated but uses more convincing words. 

In a rhetorical analysis essay conclusion, it should be mentioned how the main argument is proved right. The writer also presents the impact of the author’s work on the audience in the past paragraph.

Make sure to look at the example below for more information.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Sample (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples

To gain a better understanding of how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, it can be helpful to examine some examples. Here are a few notable examples that showcase the application of rhetorical analysis techniques:

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example (PDF)

A visual rhetorical analysis essay document communicates primarily through images or the interaction of image and text. 

Here is an example of such an essay.

Visual Rhetorical Essay Example (PDF)

H3- Rh etorical Analysis Essay Example: AP Language 

Rhetorical analysis done in AP Language and Composition is one of the biggest tasks a student can ever get. There are some specific tips that you need to follow for this purpose. Those major tips are mentioned below: 

• Understand the Prompt

It is a must for this type of essay to understand the prompt to know what the task demands from you.

• Stick to the Format

The content for the rhetorical analysis should be properly organized and structured. The rhetorical analysis essay outline divides all the information into different sections such as introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Look at the example given below and see how a well-written rhetorical analysis essay is written for AP language. 

AP Rhetorical Analysis Essay (PDF)

Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis Essay (PDF)

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Format (PDF)

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example High School (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Writing an essay is easy, but finding a good topic to compose an essay on is the real deal. Similarly, writing a rhetorical analysis essay becomes very easy when a writer has a good topic in hand. 

Here we have summed up some very good rhetorical analysis essay topics. One of them might help you to compose an impressive rhetorical analysis essay. 

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

• “I Am Prepared to Die” by Nelson Mandela 
• Nobel Peace Prize Speech by Malala Yousafzai
• The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
• “Full Power of Women” by Priyanka Chopra 
• Emma Watson’s speech on the Power of Women
• “Integrity” speech by Warren Buffet
• Freedom Speech from Braveheart
• Ending Scene from The Breakfast Club 
• Maximus’ Speech to Commodus from Gladiator
• Oprah’s 2018 Golden Globes speech 

High School Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

• Rhetorical Analysis of “The Olympic Games”
• “NFL And the Concussion Rules”
• BCS or Playoffs
• AAU or NBA; which team has more fan following?
• Rhetorical Analysis of “Football World Cup”
• Kobe Bryant or LeBron
• Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Sports Encomia
• Rhetorical Analysis of Symbolic Power of Sports
• The communication between the players and a coach.
• Rhetorical Analysis of the use of steroids

College Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

• Importance of theme of hope in literature
• The fact does not support the rhetorical questions.
• A streetcar named desire.
• Conduct a rhetorical analysis of the Bible
• The key allegories are used in Daddy by Sylvia Plath.
• The absurdity of the Afterlife
• Do we laugh when someone tickles us?
• The year of magical thinking
• Rhetorical analysis of James Joyce’s Ulysses
• Analyze a piece of work from the Parks library

Tips to Write an Effective Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Writing a strong rhetorical analysis essay requires careful analysis, persuasive writing skills, and attention to detail. 

Here are five tips to help you write an effective essay:

• Analyze the Rhetorical Situation

Before diving into the analysis, thoroughly understand the rhetorical situation. Consider the author, audience, purpose, and context of the text. This understanding will shape your analysis and help you identify the most relevant rhetorical devices.

• Focus on Key Rhetorical Devices

Identify and analyze the key rhetorical devices used in the text. Look for devices such as ethos, logos, pathos, rhetorical questions, metaphors, and analogies. Discuss how these devices contribute to the author's persuasive techniques and the overall effectiveness of the text.

• Provide Strong Evidence

Back up your analysis with strong evidence from the text. Quote specific passages, examples, or statistics to support your claims. Ensure that your evidence directly relates to the rhetorical devices and strategies you are discussing.

• Consider the Impact on the Audience

Evaluate how the rhetorical devices and strategies used in the text affect the target audience. Discuss the emotional, logical, and ethical appeals created by these devices and their potential influence on the readers or listeners.

• Structure and Coherence

Organize your essay in a logical and coherent manner. Use a clear introduction that provides context and presents your thesis statement. Develop body paragraphs that focus on specific rhetorical devices, supporting your analysis with evidence. 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay requires careful attention to detail and critical thinking. To ensure a successful essay, be mindful of these common pitfalls and avoid them:

• Summarizing Instead of Analyzing

One of the main pitfalls is falling into the trap of summarizing the text instead of analyzing it. Remember that your task is to dissect the rhetorical devices and strategies used by the author, not simply summarize the content of the text.

• Neglecting the Rhetorical Context

Failing to consider the rhetorical context of the text can weaken your analysis. Always take into account the author's purpose, intended audience, and the social, historical, or cultural context in which the text was produced. 

• Lack of Focus

Stay focused on the main argument or thesis of your essay. Avoid going off on tangents or including irrelevant information. Every point you make should directly support your thesis and contribute to the overall analysis.

• Insufficient Evidence and Examples

To strengthen your analysis, provide ample evidence and examples from the text. Merely stating your interpretation is not enough; you need to back it up with specific quotes, examples, or references. 

Overgeneralizing or Oversimplifying

Be cautious of overgeneralizing or oversimplifying the author's intent or the impact of rhetorical devices. Avoid making broad statements without proper evidence or disregarding the complexity of the text.

• Lack of Structure and Coherence

A poorly structured essay can undermine the effectiveness of your analysis. Ensure that your essay has a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. 

• Neglecting Revision and Proofreading

Failing to revise and proofread your essay can lead to errors and inconsistencies. Take the time to review your essay, checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. 

In conclusion, mastering the art of writing a rhetorical analysis essay can open doors to a deeper understanding of persuasive communication.

By following the outlined structure and incorporating the provided tips, you can confidently navigate the process and produce a compelling essay.

Now that you have a solid understanding of rhetorical analysis, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. 

If you need assistance with your college essays or any other academic writing, consider trying our AI writing tool . 

Our writing service consists of experienced writers who can provide professional essay help .

Visit our rhetorical analysis essay writing service today and take the first step towards academic success. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the elements of a rhetorical analysis.

The main elements of a rhetorical analysis essay are: 

• Situation 
• Audience  
• Purpose 
• Medium 
• Context 

How do you end a rhetorical analysis essay?

Here are some ways that help you to end the rhetorical analysis essay. 

• Summarize the entire essay. 
• Restate the thesis statement. 
• Focus on the main ideas. 

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example - Free Samples

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay - A Complete Guide With Examples

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Ethos, Pathos, and Logos - Structure, Usage & Examples

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay for academics can be really demanding for students. This type of paper requires high-level analyzing abilities and professional writing skills to be drafted effectively.

As this essay persuades the audience, it is essential to know how to take a strong stance and develop a thesis. 

This article will find some examples that will help you with your rhetorical analysis essay writing effortlessly. 

• 1. Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example
• 2. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example AP Lang 2023
• 3. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples for Students 
• 4. Writing a Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay with Example 
• 5. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Tips

Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

The step-by-step writing process of a rhetorical analysis essay is far more complicated than ordinary academic essays. This essay type critically analyzes the rhetorical means used to persuade the audience and their efficiency. 

The example provided below is the best rhetorical analysis essay example:

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Sample

In this essay type, the author uses rhetorical approaches such as ethos, pathos, and logos .  These approaches are then studied and analyzed deeply by the essay writers to weigh their effectiveness in delivering the message.

Let’s take a look at the following example to get a better idea;

The outline and structure of a rhetorical analysis essay are important. 

According to the essay outline, the essay is divided into three sections: 

• Introduction
• Ethos 
• Logos 

A rhetorical analysis essay outline is the same as the traditional one. The different parts of the rhetorical analysis essay are written in the following way:

Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Example

The introductory paragraph of a rhetorical analysis essay is written for the following purpose:

• To provide basic background information about the chosen author and the text.
• Identify the target audience of the essay. 

An introduction for a rhetorical essay is drafted by:

• Stating an opening sentence known as the hook statement. This catchy sentence is prepared to grab the audience’s attention to the paper. 
• After the opening sentence, the background information of the author and the original text are provided. 

For example, a rhetorical analysis essay written by Lee Jennings on“The Right Stuff” by David Suzuki. Lee started the essay by providing the introduction in the following way:

Analysis of the Example: 

• Suzuki stresses the importance of high school education. He prepares his readers for a proposal to make that education as valuable as possible.
• A rhetorical analysis can show how successful Suzuki was in using logos, pathos, and ethos. He had a strong ethos because of his reputation. 
• He also used pathos to appeal to parents and educators. However, his use of logos could have been more successful.
• Here Jennings stated the background information about the text and highlighted the rhetorical techniques used and their effectiveness. 

Thesis Statement Example for Rhetorical Analysis Essay 

A thesis statement of a rhetorical analysis essay is the writer’s stance on the original text. It is the argument that a writer holds and proves it using the evidence from the original text. 

A thesis statement for a rhetorical essay is written by analyzing the following elements of the original text:

• Diction - It refers to the author’s choice of words and the tone
• Imagery - The visual descriptive language that the author used in the content. 
• Simile - The comparison of things and ideas

In Jennings's analysis of “The Right Stuff,” the thesis statement was:

Example For Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement

Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Example 

In the body paragraphs of your rhetorical analysis essay, you dissect the author's work, analyze their use of rhetorical techniques, and provide evidence to support your analysis. 

Let's look at an example that analyzes the use of ethos in David Suzuki's essay:

Rhetorical Analysis Conclusion Example

All the body paragraphs lead the audience towards the conclusion.

For example, the conclusion of “The Right Stuff” is written in the following way by Jennings:

In the conclusion section, Jennings summarized the major points and restated the thesis statement to prove them. 

Rhetorical Essay Example For The Right Stuff by David Suzuki

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example AP Lang 2023

Writing a rhetorical analysis for the AP Language and Composition course can be challenging. So drafting it correctly is important to earn good grades. 

To make your essay effective and winning, follow the tips provided by professionals below:

Step #1: Understand the Prompt

Understanding the prompt is the first thing to produce an influential rhetorical paper. It is mandatory for this academic writing to read and understand the prompt to know what the task demands from you. 

Step #2: Stick to the Format

The content for the rhetorical analysis should be appropriately organized and structured. For this purpose, a proper outline is drafted. 

The rhetorical analysis essay outline divides all the information into different sections, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion.  The introduction should explicitly state the background information and the thesis statement. 

All the body paragraphs should start with a topic sentence to convey a claim to the readers. Provide a thorough analysis of these claims in the paragraph to support your topic sentence. 

Step #3: Use Rhetorical Elements to Form an Argument 

Analyze the following things in the text to form an argument for your essay:

• Language (tone and words)
• Organizational structure
• Rhetorical Appeals ( ethos, pathos, and logos) 

Once you have analyzed the rhetorical appeals and other devices like imagery and diction, you can form a strong thesis statement. The thesis statement will be the foundation on which your essay will be standing. 

AP Language Rhetorical Essay Sample

AP Rhetorical Analysis Essay Template

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example AP Lang

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples for Students 

Here are a few more examples to help the students write a rhetorical analysis essay:

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example Outline

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example College

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example APA Format

Compare and Contrast Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

How to Start Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example High School

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example APA Sample

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example Of a Song

Florence Kelley Speech Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example MLA

Writing a Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay with Example 

The visual rhetorical analysis essay determines how pictures and images communicate messages and persuade the audience. 

Usually, visual rhetorical analysis papers are written for advertisements. This is because they use strong images to convince the audience to behave in a certain way. 

To draft a perfect visual rhetorical analysis essay, follow the tips below:

• Analyze the advertisement deeply and note every minor detail. 
• Notice objects and colors used in the image to gather every detail.
• Determine the importance of the colors and objects and analyze why the advertiser chose the particular picture. 
• See what you feel about the image.
• Consider the objective of the image. Identify the message that the image is portraying. 
• Identify the targeted audience and how they respond to the picture. 

An example is provided below to give students a better idea of the concept. 

Simplicity Breeds Clarity Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Tips

Follow the tips provided below to make your rhetorical writing compelling. 

• Choose an engaging topic for your essay. The rhetorical analysis essay topic should be engaging to grab the reader’s attention.
• Thoroughly read the original text.
• Identify the SOAPSTone. From the text, determine the speaker, occasions, audience, purpose, subject, and tone.
• Develop a thesis statement to state your claim over the text.
• Draft a rhetorical analysis essay outline.
• Write an engaging essay introduction by giving a hook statement and background information. At the end of the introductory paragraph, state the thesis statement.
• The body paragraphs of the rhetorical essay should have a topic sentence. Also, in the paragraph, a thorough analysis should be presented.
• For writing a satisfactory rhetorical essay conclusion, restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points.
• Proofread your essay to check for mistakes in the content. Make your edits before submitting the draft.

Following the tips and the essay's correct writing procedure will guarantee success in your academics. 

We have given you plenty of examples of a rhetorical analysis essay. But if you are still struggling to draft a great rhetorical analysis essay, it is suggested to take a professional’s help.

MyPerfectWords.com can assist you with all your academic assignments. The top essay writer service that we provide is reliable. If you are confused about your writing assignments and have difficulty meeting the deadline, get help from the  legal essay writing service .

Hire our  analytical essay writing service  today at the most reasonable prices. 

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How To Use A Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline to Improve Your Student’s Writing

Without a rhetorical analysis body paragraph outline my essays are a hot mess. As you know, students struggle so much with analysis in general. But for some reason, analyzing a speech just seems impossible. Thinking about the specific choices speakers make and why they make those choices is tough. That’s why breaking down the process for them is essential. And what better way to do that than using a rhetorical analysis body paragraph? If you are ready to see how I set up these rhetorical analysis writing workshops then keep reading below. 

If the thought of trying to break down all the steps for your students is overwhelming, I have your back. Why bother creating your own outline when I have one ready to go for you? So, check out my Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline . The outline includes a prompt and space for an answer for each sentence of a rhetorical analysis body paragraph. Furthermore, included are three outline templates for each body paragraph of a rhetorical analysis essay. With this step-by-step outline and supporting handouts, students will be able to craft strong rhetorical analysis body paragraphs. Now that you have the resource that you need, check out how to use it in your classroom.

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Why Dive Into Rhetorical Analysis? 

Okay, English teachers, let’s chat about why we should toss rhetorical analysis into the mix. It’s not just about identifying rhetorical devices; it’s giving our students the superhero ability to decode the messages bombarding them daily. In a world drowning in ads, speeches, and texts, understanding how language works is like having a cheat sheet.

Furthermore, when they grasp rhetorical analysis, it’s not just about picking apart essays; it’s about unraveling the strategies that shape opinions and nudge decisions. It polishes their writing game, fine-tunes their ability to speak their minds, and makes them savvy about the power plays happening in every conversation. So, it’s not just about essays; it’s about crafting critical thinkers. Now that we know the why, let’s find out how to do rhetorical analysis. 

Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Writing

Step #1: introduce the basics of rhetorical analysis essay writing.

Students need to start with what they know. And, what do they know: persuasion First, review with students the list of rhetorical devices that speakers like to use in their writing. Make it fun and create a review game for the students to play. I like to create a rhetorical devices cheat sheet for students that they can use every time they read a speech. 

Next, give students a chance to show off their understanding of these terms. Personally, I love using digital media to showcase these concepts. Students are surrounded by persuasive techniques every day. Advertisements, social media, and TV shows include hundreds of examples of rhetorical choices. Allow students to identify these techniques and chat about why the creator would make those choices. Without even knowing it students are discussing rhetorical analysis. 

Step #2: Examine Rhetorical Analysis Speeches

Now that students understand the terms, they are ready to analyze the texts. The best way to teach rhetorical analysis is with speeches. And it takes lots of practice. I recommend reading and analyzing at least three speeches before completing any rhetorical analysis body paragraph writing. 

Here are some great speeches to analyze: 

• Taylor Swift’s Class of 2022 NYU Commencement Speech
• Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
• President Ronald Reagan’s Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger Speech
• Elie Wiesel’s The Perils of Indifference Speech

For each speech that we analyze, we identify the rhetorical devices that the author is using. Bring out that rhetorical devices cheat sheet again for your students to make this process go faster. I prefer to analyze one speech as a whole class. Then, allow students to work in partners for the second speech. Finally, they analyze a third speech on their own. Once, we have lots of practice, we are ready to start writing. 

Step #3: Rhetorical Analysis Paragraph Example

I always find that the best way to improve students’ writing is to show them exactly what you want and break it down for them. Before students tackle their writing, we look at a rhetorical analysis body paragraph example. 

First, I show them an outline of what elements go into a strong rhetorical analysis body paragraph. Then we read the rhetorical analysis paragraph example. Next, we mark each part of the paragraph with the elements I provided. This step allows students to see strong writing and to understand all the pieces that need to be included in their own writing. They can reference this paragraph at any time to help their body paragraphs. 

Don’t want to write your own rhetorical analysis body paragraph example? Check out my Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline . In this resource, I provide you with an example paragraph and an answer key. And that’s just one of the many handouts included in this resource. 

Step #4: Complete The Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline

Now, students are ready to write. Have students choose the speech that they feel has the most rhetorical devices. Once they choose their speech, have them categorize their devices into three groups. I encourage my students to find three rhetorical devices for their categories. Then they find at least three separate examples for each device from the speech. 

Next, we break down the part of a rhetorical analysis body paragraph outline. Review each part of the body paragraph outline with your students. Here are the parts of my outline: 

• Topic Sentence: Rhetorical Device and Effect
• Transition Sentence
• Analysis Sentence #1: How does this example work in the speech
• Analysis Sentence #2: Why does the author choose to use this device in their speech? 
• Clincher Sentence

For each part of the outline, I provide a prompting question and space to write their answer.

Students now have all the skills that they need to complete their rhetorical analysis body paragraph outline. Allow students ample time to complete the outline. They need time to think, struggle, and work through their ideas. This writing does not come naturally for most students so they need time to process. 

Step #5: Build the Rhetorical Analysis Essay Body Paragraph 

Once students have completed their outlines, they are ready to build their paragraphs. I have students refer back to the outline of the elements that go into a paragraph. Using this handout as a guide, students take each section of their outline and create a paragraph. If they followed the outline carefully, they just need to copy and paste each section sentence by sentence. The last step is to reread the now completed paragraph. Students should make sure that the paragraph flows. Then, they should check for all formatting errors. Finally, students should fix any grammatical and spelling errors. 

Step #6: Provide Feedback for Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Once students complete that first rhetorical analysis body paragraph, I have students submit it to me. While they work on their next paragraph, I provide feedback for them. First, I make comments on each student’s paragraph. Once that is complete, I offer up time to meet with students individually to ask questions about my comments and suggestions. Students can use this writing sample to improve their other paragraphs for the essay. Students feel more confident in their writing because they have personalized feedback just for them. 

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Teaching rhetorical analysis doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these steps, you’re not just breaking down the art of persuasion for your students; you’re turning it into a skill they can master. Now that you are ready to tackle the rhetorical analysis essay, don’t forget to check out my Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline . You will have everything you need to get started with the rhetorical analysis body paragraph right away. Have your own tricks up your sleeve for teaching rhetorical analysis? DM me or shoot a message on Instagram @theteacherrewrite . Writing can be tough but with a rhetorical analysis body paragraph outline, you have everything you need! 

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Rhetorical Analysis – A Step-by-Step Guide

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Rhetorical analysis is a cornerstone of academic writing, involving the examination and interpretation of texts to uncover the strategies used by authors to persuade their audiences. In the academic essay , it serves as a powerful tool to decode the underlying mechanisms of argumentation and presentation. Its proficiency in understanding rhetoric can help refine argumentation, support claims, and foster critical thinking.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Rhetorical Analysis – In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: Rhetorical analysis
• 3 The key concepts in rhetorical analysis
• 4 The process of rhetorical analysis
• 5 Rhetorical analysis: Introduction
• 6 Rhetorical analysis: Body
• 7 Rhetorical analysis: Conclusion

Rhetorical Analysis – In a Nutshell

• Rhetorical analysis is essential for understanding how texts are used to achieve a particular purpose.
• This article walks you through the process of conducting a rhetorical analysis, from understanding the context to identifying the key concepts.
• It also presents the different appeals that can be used in rhetoric, and how to identify claims, support, and warrants.

Definition: Rhetorical analysis

Rhetorical analysis is a form of criticism that evaluates a text, speech, or public statement to understand how the author or speaker attempts to persuade their audience. A rhetorical analysis can be used to understand various texts, from political speeches to advertisements to academic essays.

In rhetorical analysis, it is crucial to avoid making value judgments about the author or their argument. The goal is to understand how they are trying to persuade, not to say whether you agree with them.

The key sections of rhetorical analysis are the:

• Introduction

The focus of the rhetorical analysis will vary depending on the text being examined, but it generally involves understanding the context of the argument, identifying the key concepts, and analyzing how the author uses rhetoric to persuade their audience.

The key concepts in rhetorical analysis

Aristotle defined rhetoric as:

“The faculty of discovering in any particular case all of the available means of persuasion.”

In other words, rhetoric is the art of persuasion. When you engage in rhetoric, you use language to persuade your audience to see things your way.

The fundamental concepts of rhetoric

• The different ways you can persuade your audience (logos, pathos, ethos).
• The work you are analyzing.
• Details about the creator of the work, the audience, when and where the text was created, and its purpose.
• The main points or arguments you make in your rhetoric.
• The evidence you use to back up your claims.
• The assumptions you make about your audience allow you to connect your support to your claims.

Appeals in rhetorical analysis

Appeals in rhetorical analysis refer to the use of emotions, logic , or credibility to persuade an audience. There are three main types of appeals:

• Logos: An appeal to logic that uses reason and evidence to persuade the audience.
• Pathos: An appeal to emotion that seeks to create an emotional response in the audience.
• Ethos: An appeal to the credibility that aims to establish the speaker’s or writer’s credibility.

Claims, support, and warrants

In a rhetorical analysis, claims, support, and warrants establish the arguer’s position on a given issue, and they can be implied rather than stated explicitly.

• A claim is the main argument being made.
• Support is the reasoning or evidence used to back up the claim.
• Warrants are the assumptions that connect the claim and support it.

If someone were to make the claim “Inflation is rising,” their support might be statistics showing the UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 9.1% in the year to May 2022.

The warrant, in this case, would be the assumption that CPI is a good indicator of inflation.

Understanding text and context

You’ll need to understand the text and its context to conduct an effective rhetorical analysis. The text is the piece of content that you’ll be analyzing, while the context is the background information surrounding the text.

To understand the text, consider who wrote it, its purpose , and the intended audience . Also, think about the genre of the text and any essential rhetorical devices used.

The context includes the historical moment in which the text was written and the social, political, and cultural context surrounding the author. This background information will help you understand the text on a deeper level.

Understanding text and context is vital for your rhetorical analysis because it helps you engage with the material critically. It also allows you to situate the text within a larger discussion and to see how it contributes to the conversation.

Consider the text “Inflation is rising.”

• The context surrounding this text might include information about the state of the economy, the current inflation rate, or the historical context surrounding inflation.
• This background information would help you understand the text more deeply and see how it fits into the larger conversation about the economy, which would improve your rhetorical analysis.

The process of rhetorical analysis

When it comes to rhetorical analysis, the main steps in the process are as follows:

1. Determine the purpose of the text

Start by understanding why the author wrote the text and what they were trying to achieve.

To determine the purpose more easily for your rhetorical analysis, ask yourself questions such as:

• Who wrote the text?
• What is the genre of the text?
• When was the text written?
• What are the circumstances of the text?

2. Understand the context

To understand the context, consider factors such as the historical moment in which it was written and the social, political, and cultural context surrounding the author.

You can ask questions such as:

• What was happening in the world at the time the text was written?
• What were the social, political, and cultural circumstances of the author?

3. Identify the claims, support, and warrants

The claims , support , and warrants are the key components of an argument, and understanding them is essential to your rhetorical analysis.

To identify them more easily, ask yourself questions such as:

• What is the author trying to argue?
• What evidence do they use to support their argument?
• How does the evidence support the claim?

4. Analyze the rhetoric of the text

This step involves understanding how the author uses language to persuade their audience.

To analyze the rhetoric, consider questions such as:

• What tone does the author use?
• What level of formality does the author use?
• What kind of language does the author use?

5. Draw conclusions

Next, draw conclusions about the text based on your rhetorical analysis. This involves considering the overall effectiveness of the text and determining whether the author achieved their purpose.

Ask yourself questions such as:

• Was the author successful in achieving their purpose?
• What could they have done differently to be more successful?
• What do you think about the text?

6. Write your analysis

Finally, write your rhetorical analysis. This will involve synthesizing your thoughts on the text and presenting your conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Be sure to support your claims with evidence from the text.

Rhetorical analysis: Introduction

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis essay is similar to other essays and should explain what text is being discussed, provide relevant context, and introduce your thesis statement.

An example of a rhetorical analysis introduction:

Rhetorical analysis: Body

The body section of your rhetorical analysis will explain how the author uses rhetoric to achieve their purpose. Each paragraph should focus on a different aspect of the text, such as the author’s use of repetition or their choice of words.

Be sure to support your claims with evidence from the text and explain how this evidence supports your claim.

Paragraphs in the body of a rhetorical analysis should be structured as follows:

• Topic sentence: Introduces the main point of the paragraph and explains how it relates to the thesis statement
• Evidence: Provides evidence from the text that supports your claim
• Analysis: Your explanation of how the evidence supports your claim and why it is effective
• Concluding sentence: Wraps up the paragraph and may introduce the next.

Rhetorical analysis: Conclusion

The concluding section of your rhetorical analysis should restate your main   argument and whether the text achieved its purpose. You may also want to consider the broader implications of the text and its place in history.

Also, you might want to guide readers on what they can do with this information.

What is the goal of a rhetorical analysis?

The goal of rhetorical analysis is to look at a non-fiction work to determine how the material tries to influence the audience .

It focuses on what tools and techniques the author uses to get their point across, and not on the validity of the argument.

What is the difference between a rhetorical analysis and a literary analysis?

The rhetorical analysis focuses on how a text is written, while the literary analysis looks at the meaning of the text.

For example, the literary analysis might examine the use of symbols in a book, while the rhetorical analysis would look at how the author uses language to convey their message.

How do you conduct a rhetorical analysis?

To conduct a rhetorical analysis, follow theses steps:

• Start by identifying the author’s purpose for writing the piece.
• Next, analyze how the author uses logic, emotion, and credibility to appeal to the audience.
• Finally, determine how effective the author’s techniques are at persuading the audience.

What are some common techniques used in rhetoric?

Some techniques used in rhetoric include the appeal to logic (logos), the appeal to emotion (pathos), and the appeal to credibility (ethos).

The author may also use rhetorical questions, metaphors, and repetition to make their point.

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