Analyzing Rhetoric Strategies and Techniques in Writing Essay

Length and Format

Length: 700– 750 words 

NOTE: A specific word count range is provided which you are expected to adhere to. Thus, do not ask your instructor if it’s o.k. to go a bit below or over it as that is not acceptable. 

Format/Structure:
• Your essay must be exactly 5 paragraphs (intro, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion).
• You must follow the rhetorical analysis format (described in step 2 of Module 5) as well as the general formal, academic essay format provided for you in Course Content (see the extra help folder in course content). 

Make sure you read all of the following fully so that you understand all that is required for the essay / assignment: this assignment sheet, the relevant modules, the content of the extra help folder for this assignment.

Your task in this assignment is to demonstrate the techniques and strategies an author uses in deploying his or her argument. You will choose one text from the list below and write an analysis essay of the rhetoric using proper terminology, including the kinds of appeals being made. Please use the essay format described in the module.

Your thesis is relatively limited: you are essentially arguing whether or not the author’s rhetoric is successful and why you understand it to be so. A successful essay will focus on demonstrating why your text is correct through a detailed analysis of the article you engage with.

This is a rather short essay and the focus is writing (as concisely as possible) an analysis of one of the three essays listed at the end of this assignment sheet. Avoid wordiness and do not provide unnecessary information such as background information about the author or subject matter / issue or what other people think about it, etc. Only write in third person.

Make sure to format the essay to MLA style (see an MLA guide) and to include a relevant title. No research is allowed for the assignment!

There are key elements to include in your analysis and are best included in the introduction:

Who is the intended audience of the text?
What is the purpose of the text (to argue, inspire, cajole, etc.)?
What is the thesis or main argument of the essay?

The majority of your essay should be based on key examples of how the author attempts to support his or her position. If you do not support your argument about the text with evidence (examples from the text), your assertions will be ungrounded and therefore less powerful.

Exceptional essays may engage in analysis of the use of stasis theory, structure, and style. MLA format and correct citation practice is required for this assignment. Please refer to your handbook for reminders about necessary MLA formatting (double-spacing, page number placement, in-text citations, etc.).

Mandatory Expectations for Quoted Material

As mentioned in module 5, most language in your essay should be your own (paraphrased in your own words) when you write an academic paper. Thus, please adhere to the following:

• You must integrate one short quote of 1 to 3 lines per body paragraph (you are not allowed to use more than 1 quote per body paragraph). You may also integrate 1 short quote within the conclusion if you wish but you are not allowed to use any quotes in the introduction.
• All other references within your essay must be paraphrased. 

Topic Options (please retrieve the following essays from eReserves):

1) “Hunger” (by Maggie Helwig)
2) “Why Are We Dressing Our Daughters Like This?” (by Lianne George)
3) “In Defense of Graffiti” (by Alex Boyd)

Your rhetorical analysis will be evaluated according to the following criteria (and expectations according to the modules and whatever is involved in good writing):

Content: clear, complete and comprehensive with appropriate focus on the argumentation.
Structure: thesis statement, paragraph structure using topic sentences, transitions and concluding sentences; strong introduction and conclusion.
Diction: professional tone, no slang or contractions, no use of 1st person Grammar, mechanics, spelling and other writing matters correct.
Format: double-spaced, paragraphs indented, format according to MLA guidelines Documentation: in-text citations and Works Cited entry according to MLA guidelines.