Rhetorical Analysis: Understanding the Effect of Language Tools and Techniques in Writing, Schemes and Mind Maps of Logic

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Rhetorical Analysis

First answer what is the author doing (ACTION)! Then explain HOW by discussing how the language tool works ( D evice=tool—ok to not name tool) If you are Analyzing: Discuss How the tool works or how the author creates the action ( E ffect of language choice or tool) Action: uniting; building Tool: hammer The carpenter’s hammer smashes down the head of a nail so that the shaft drives into two solid pieces of wood. This connection builds because it creates a semi-permanent union of two smaller objects. (notice that even without naming the tool [hammer], the analysis works) Diction HOW the connotation affects tone (discuss connotations of specific words) Syntax HOW the sentence structure brings meaning or emphasizes an idea Organization HOW the structure/arrangement of the ideas of a piece brings meaning Ex: cause/effect Idea/examples Figurative Language: Metaphor Simile Personification Analogy Allusion HOW the comparison brings meaning (what is being compared and how does this create meaning?) Figurative language: Imagery HOW the words or descriptions appeal to specific senses (how that brings meaning)

Appeals (Audience Focused—best with direct address)

Appeal ( D evice) Discuss E ffect

Logos (logic) HOW facts, statistics, evidence, structure, examples, and testimony bring appeal to an audiences’ sense of reason (then discuss how this persuades the for the purpose) Pathos (emotion) HOW personal anecdotes, word choice/tone bring out a certain emotion-- what emotion? (then discuss how this emotion in audience persuades the audience to believe or act for the purpose) Ethos (speaker) HOW the speaker gets the audience to perceive him/her (then discuss how this perception helps the authors’ purpose)

A body paragraph should have the following: DEEP EEP(EEP)Conclude

D/K (topic sentence): Introduces the Key idea/Device that reveal an author’s purpose (conquer ?)

E: Sets up the example using active verbs, expressing what the author does.

E: Explains the effect of the language—explains how the rhetorical choices made by the author work.

For example, it explains what the words connote (diction), how the comparison works (metaphor,

simile, personification), how the sentence structure develops (syntax), how the images appeal to

senses (imagery)

P: Argues how the effect of the language creates the purpose, as discussed in the topic sentence.

Transitions to the next E (new example)

E: Sets up a new example using active verbs, expressing what the author does.

E: Explains the effect of the language—explains how the rhetorical choices made by the author work.

For example, it explains what the words connote (diction), how the comparison works (metaphor,

simile, personification), how the sentence structure develops (syntax), how the images appeal to

senses (imagery)

P: Argues how the effect of the language creates the purpose, as discussed in the topic sentence.

(Developing with another EEP would make it even stronger)

Conclude paragraph, reflecting back on the author’s general use of language (Device) and Purpose.