write one formal analytical paragraph

What is rhetoric?

Simply put, rhetoric is the art of making a convincing argument.  The ancient Greeks were the first rhetoricians, and we continue to employ many of their ideas for effective argumentation.

What is a rhetorical analysis?

Writers, filmmakers, artists use many strategies to communicate their arguments and ideas.  Just about anything that works to assert an idea can be a rhetorical strategy.  For example, if I dress in all black, or all pink, that in itself makes a statement.  If I choose one example over another, one word over another, I am consciously making decisions about what will further my argument.

When making a rhetorical analysis, critical thinkers consider the strategies the writer, filmmaker, or artist may have employed to help communicate meaning. For analysis of written and spoken arguments:     The classical appeals         ethos (author's credibility, use of sources, appeal to higher moral ground)         logos (examples, testimony, logical arguments, stats, unity of argument)         pathos (appealing to emotions through anecdotes, value-laden words)

For analysis of art         color         texture         size & shape         artistic line         framing For analysis of film & photography black and white v. color angle cinematic techniques For analysis of written arguments repetition (anaphora) analogy         vivid examples            format     sentence structure     word choice     organization     audience awareness     tone (formal or informal)     humor    

 

This list is not exhaustive, and the items on it not mutually exclusive.  The trick is to be aware of the intentionality of choices and how those choices affect the idea or argument. 

Be able to identify those choices in the works of others, and utilize rhetorical strategies to make your own arguments persuasive.