Analyzing an Argument Essay

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The Rhetorical Situation

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Writing: General Features

nn Writing is epistemic (creates knowledge— doesn’t just record it)

nn Audience and purpose shape our writing nn Writing is both internal and external

communication: as we write we also discover our ideas. We don’t just download them from a repository somewhere in our brain. We clarify, elaborate, and even modify them through the writing process.

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The Message (Logos—Logic)

nn You probably had a lot of practice with this in high school: you learned to communicate your own ideas

nn Information, data, evidence, research, reasons, and the structure of these as presented all form the message side of the triangle

nn Both positive paragraphs (your reasons) and refutations/rebuttals are part of the message.

nn The message is important. But in academic writing, by itself it is completely ineffective 4

The Communicator (Ethos— Character)

nn The way you present yourself as a writer. Thorough The way you present yourself as a writer. Thorough research, correct citation and attribution of sources are research, correct citation and attribution of sources are paramountparamount

nn Also important are fairness toward the other side: thus Also important are fairness toward the other side: thus a concession paragraph is necessary to reach out to the a concession paragraph is necessary to reach out to the other side. This has NOTHING to do with refutation other side. This has NOTHING to do with refutation and rebuttal, which are antagonistic. and rebuttal, which are antagonistic.

nn Finally, presentation matters enormously, so Finally, presentation matters enormously, so correctness and format are paramountcorrectness and format are paramount

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The Audience (Pathos) nn You need to know the beliefs, values, knowledge, and You need to know the beliefs, values, knowledge, and

experiences that have shaped your audience’s positionexperiences that have shaped your audience’s position nn You need to know the kind of message (evidence, sources, etc.) You need to know the kind of message (evidence, sources, etc.)

which they privilege. which they privilege. nn Ignorance of the above shows disregard for your audience which Ignorance of the above shows disregard for your audience which

they instantly perceive and ignore you in turnthey instantly perceive and ignore you in turn nn Respect of their position helps the audience respect your own Respect of their position helps the audience respect your own

positionposition nn You also need to consider engaging them both with content You also need to consider engaging them both with content

(introduction with a “hook”) but also writing techniques such as (introduction with a “hook”) but also writing techniques such as sentence variety. sentence variety.

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