Rhetorical Analysis - RCC

QuickWrite

What do we look for in a Rhetorical Analysis?

Exigence - the need or demand for an argument; a.k.a the cause!

Audience - the "who"

Purpose - convince, persuade, entertain, etc.

E/P/L - appeals!

Organization - how did they choose to arrange the argument?

Rhetorical Analysis

Get into groups of 3

Take out a sheet of paper and write the group members names on it

Compose a visual diagram for "It's Not about You" by Brooks, D., using the rhetorical framework we just reviewed.

Rhetorical Analysis

Here are some leading questions...

What is the purpose of this argument?

Who is the audience for this argument?

What appeals or techniques does the argument use – emotional, logical, ethical?

What genre of argument is it, and how does the genre affect the argument?

Who is making the argument?

What ethos does it create, and how does it do so?

What values does the ethos evoke?

How does it make the writer or creator seem trustworthy?

What authorities does the argument rely on or appeal to?

Rhetorical Analysis

Now, let's look at Kolb.

Discuss: In what way is Kolb's response to Brooks a rhetorical analysis?

Can you identify the different aspects of Kolb's argument within the rhetorical framework?

Claims

A claim is an argument about a topic. The topic can be just about anything, but no matter what it has to be DEBATABLE.

...but arguments are negative! NOPE. Not all arguments are negative. When we think of argument, we can think of exploration.

How can we explore this topic further in an attempt to also convince and persuade others?

Criteria

1. Your argument should attempt to convince readers of something, change their minds about something, or urge them to do something - or it explores a topic in order to make a wise decision.

2. Your argument addresses a problem for which no easily acceptable solution exists or asks a question to which no absolute answer exists

3. Your argument presents a position that readers might realistically have varying perspectives on.

Q: Look at your Journal #3. Does your claim meet the criteria?

Example...

Advertising in women's magazines contributes to the poor self-image that afflicts many young women.

Women's magazines earn millions of dollars every year from advertising.

Working Thesis...

A thesis is a claim. A working thesis is a claim that can be (and should be) revised as you develop your argument. Claims address reasons and (sometimes) assumptions.

REASON --

Pesticides endanger the lives of farmworkers.

WORKING CLAIM---

Because they endanger the lives of farmworkers, pesticides should be banned.

Working Thesis... in two parts

PART I: THE TOPIC

The subject manner about which you are writing. (Specificity is still good here!)

PART II: YOUR COMMENTS

Go ahead and say something important/significant/groundbreaking about your topic.

Wayward theses and claims often are lacking either one or both of these elements, OR are too broad to be arguable.

In the grahic novel Fun Home, illustrations and words combine to make meanings that are more stubtle than either words alone or images alone could convey.

Working Thesis... the three characteristics

1. It is potentially interesting to the intended audience.

2. It is as specific as possible.

3. It limits the topic enough to make it manageable.

Essay 1: Education Reform

• Review the essay assignment for Essay 1
• Do a quick prewriting clustering exercise.
• Share your thoughts with a partner

What about the topic of education reform interests you as a student?

What questions do you have?

Is there something that Gopnik or Tantillo said that was of particular significance?

Let's Practice...

Next, practice writing a claim.

When you have something workable - share it with a partner and ask for their feedback!!

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TOPIC

Warrant (Reasoning)

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