Introductory Writing: Comparative Rhetorical Analysis
Guidelines, Criteria, and Expectations
Assignment:
Your assignment is to compare and contrast the rhetorical effectiveness of two texts of two
different genres. These texts can be from the same discourse community or two different
discourse communities. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate your awareness and
understanding of rhetorical knowledge and how it functions within genres and texts. For this
assignment, you will rely on the classical rhetorical appeals for your theoretical frame (see
rhetorical appeals handout on logos, ethos, and pathos), as well as the other key concepts that we
have discussed so far in class (audience, genre, discourse communities and conventions,
exigence, etc.) Your paper should follow this criteria:
• Approximately 4-6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font (standard one-inch margins).
• Essay features should adhere to English 101 rubric criteria (see handout), including MLA
in-text citation.
• Draft due to BB on Friday 9/17 at noon.
Context/Purpose:
As we have discussed in class, a rhetorical analysis examines and explains how texts are
constructed so as to evaluate their effectiveness for a given audience. This means that while your
analysis will certainly discuss the ideas (content or topics) in the texts that you choose, your main
concern is how the purpose and message of the text are presented and constructed to appeal to the
targeted audience and the implications thereof. In constructing a rhetorical analysis, the writer
(that’s you!) identifies and critically analyzes the rhetorical strategies the author/writer uses in
order to comment on the effectiveness and/or significance of the text. Consider both the context
and the audience while developing your rhetorical analysis draft:
• Start with a brief discussion of the subject/topic that the two genres are focusing on.
Include the title of each piece, the genre type, and the author (or authors) of each in the
introduction.
• Identity the thesis/purpose, either implied or stated, in each genre. Your thesis is the
synthesis of the two genres and should articulate to your audience your evaluation of the
two texts.
• Who is the intended audience and how do they fit into a specific community of
discourse? Considering this what may the audience know, want to know, and why? How
might this information presented be used by its audience?
• What is the purpose of the information presented in the genres? (inform, persuade,
entertain, etc.)
Style/Conclusion:
Your analysis should move beyond the mechanics of rhetorical analysis; the purpose of your
analysis in your text (essay) should be guided by a particular “so what?” question. That is, your
rhetorical analysis should reveal some kind of significance for your readers (what does your
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