Writing & Rhetoric 1: Language 2.

0: Investigating the Rhetoric of

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RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: RETRACING A WRITER'S CHOICES

Due Dates:
Scaffolding 1: 9/29: PreWriting Checklist available on
Canvas
Scaffolding 2: 10/01 Rough
Draft of TWO Paragraphs on
TWO RA elements from your
selected texts
Project Bui
9/24
9/25

WHERE WE ARE
During our first week we will be working on defining the concepts of
rhetorical analysis, whereby we as readers begin to break down an authors
text and critically analyze the constructs used for presenting arguments.
We will continue to develop our awareness of how authors use specific
writing strategies that suit their situation, purpose, claim and audience. In
order to fully appreciate a texts power, we will also work to examine texts
through the lens of Aristotles three levels of effective persuasion: Ethos,
Pathos, and Logos, and thereby examine an authors strategic writing
choices. As of now we are active readers of a text.
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
This article aims to help you master the skill of rhetorical analysis. You
will articulate your awareness of the rhetorical strategies used by authors
and learn how to integrate your understanding of rhetorical devices into
your own writing. For this assignment, you will select pre-selected one
text posted on our Canvas page that discusses or exemplifies current issues
of language-in-use and communication through digital platforms.

First Draft: Friday 10/2 @ 5

pm
Scaffolding 3: 10/5 Out of
class Peer Review of First
Draft
Conferences: Week 3 (Sign
up through shared Google Doc
link)
Final Draft: Monday 10/12 at
5:00pm
Paper Format:

Parts of this assignment sequence are adapted from C. Alfano. PWR

1500+ words (5-6

pages)
Double spacing
Separate title page
including name, title,
and date. See Canvas
Writing Resources
Page for sample title
pages
In-text & works cited
in MLA form-doesn't
count towards word
count
1" Margins

Writing & Rhetoric 1: Language 2.0: Investigating the Rhetoric of

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ASSIGNMENT GOALS
Pre-selected readings
available through Canvas:
-Is Google Making Us
Stupid? By Nicholas Carr

-Alone Together by
Sherry Turkle
-The Death of the Book
by Ursula K. Le Guin

1. To have you put into practice the lessons about rhetorical

analysis-both as a reader and as a writer2. To encourage you to experiment with different pre-writing
techniques
3. To give you practice at source selection and evaluation
4. To help you develop strategies for crafting an effective thesis
statement and selecting/employing relevant textual evidence to
support your claims
5. To help you consider methods for writing engaging and
effective introductions and conclusions
6. To have you consider questions of voice, audience and
purpose
FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT YOU NEED TO:
-Choose ONE reading for your Rhetorical Analysis assignment from
our Canvas Pages tab. Print and annotate your text as you investigate
the different rhetorical tools used by the author.
-Scaffolding Assignment 1: Post your Pre-writing checklist response
to Canvas before class by 9/29. For this checklist you need to clearly
identify the different rhetorical tools used by the author and provide
your interpretation. You will also need to paraphrase, summarize, or
pull out certain quotes from the text.
-Scaffolding Assignment 2: Submit rough draft of TWO Paragraphs
on TWO RA elements from your selected texts before class on 10/01
as a shareable Google Docs link
-First Draft: Due on Canvas on Friday 10/2 @ 5 pm with Writers
Memo

This assignment
is worth 15%
of your overall
grade for this
course

-Conferences: Week 3 (Sign up through shared Google Doc link)

-Scaffolding 3: 10/5 Out of class Peer Review of First Draft
-Final Draft: Monday 10/12 at 5:00 pm with writers memo
ELEMTS OF RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
-Rhetorical Situation (relationship between text-audience-author),
AND/OR
-Context and kairos; AND/OR
-Use of rhetorical appeals (such as pathos, logos & ethos); AND/OR
-Use of one or more strategies of development such as narration,
definition, comparison/contrast, division-classification, example

Parts of this assignment sequence are adapted from C. Alfano. PWR

Writing & Rhetoric 1: Language 2.0: Investigating the Rhetoric of

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POINTS TO REMEMBER
-Be sure to write a persuasive analysis of your selected text with a strong thesis statement,
considering not only WHAT the text is arguing, but also HOW it is making the argument.
Specifically, you need to develop a persuasive claim as to how the primary text is designed to make a
particular argument in relation to the rhetorical tools used.
-As with any writing, you will need to include a working introduction and conclusion. You are writing a
rhetorical analysis essay rather than an evaluative essay. The key here is to identify the authors
rhetorical choices and how they are utilizing them to reach their audience- not to judge these choices as
good or bad. Remember to use evidence from selected text to support your response.
EVALUATION CRITERIA

A strong, clear thesis statement and argument supported convincingly by evidence and that
engages a larger So What or relevance
A detailed, focused analysis of the rhetorical strategies and appeals at work within a text, with a
good balance between description and analysis
Well-developed, cohesive paragraphs, with smooth transitions between paragraphs and ideas, and
a deliberate and fluid overall organization and development
A strong, engaging introduction that hooks the reader and accurately represents the topic, style,
and direction of the paper and its argument
Strategic and appropriate use of rhetorical appeals (pathos, logos, ethos & kairos), and
developmental strategies (definition, cause/effect, description, example, process, categorization,
narration)
Clear and effective understanding and negotiation of the rhetorical situation and context/kairos of
your own writing and also of the texts under consideration
A clear, engaging, appropriate and consistent voice/style, that relies on concrete, vivid language,
varied sentence structure and appropriate word choice
A strong conclusion that reemphasizes the central claim without relying exclusively on summary
Evident attention to ethos in the design of the paper and attention to correctness in sentence
structure.
Citing of sources in MLA format, including works cited at the end (that of the main text you have
selected).
Check our Canvas page for an evaluation rubric for further details available in the
Assignments page.

Parts of this assignment sequence are adapted from C. Alfano. PWR

Writing & Rhetoric 1: Language 2.0: Investigating the Rhetoric of

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CONFERENCE PREPARATION CHECK-LIST

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Make sure you have access to Google Drive through Stanford University
Sign up for conference time though Google docs (and set yourself a reminder!)
Bring your responses to pre-writing reflections posted on Canvas
Bring your Scaffolding assignment Reponses (online)
Bring your Writer's Memo (online)

Parts of this assignment sequence are adapted from C. Alfano. PWR