English Paper

Project 6: Rhetorical Analysis (150 points)

Rough draft due: April 26, 2016                      Final draft due: April 28, 2016

THE PURPOSE:

This assignment is designed for you to perform a rhetorical analysis of a media report (in English) that is related to China’s middle class and /or the Chinese Dream.  You will choose your own text (including the traditional paper-based text and/or any multimedia texts).  You will practice considering the rhetorical situation of the text (the context, audience, and purpose).  You will craft an effective thesis statement and select relevant details to support your conclusions.  You will experiment with different revision processes, and produce a persuasive academic writing. 

To choose a suitable text, look for the “opinions” “commentary” or “editorial” section of a newspaper.

The resource I choiced at the Websit: "http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-04/12/content_24467022.htm"

Unlike project 2 (informative synthesis) when you explain to your audience WHAT the authors say about China’s middle class, project 6 (rhetorical analysis) requires you to explore the power of persuasion by explaining to your audience HOW the author achieved (or did not achieve) his/her rhetorical goal.  That is to say: your analysis will demonstrate how the various aspects of the text work together to achieve the author’s goal.  Please keep in mind that:

·         Your rhetorical analysis is NOT just a summary of the text. 

·         You don’t have to discuss all three forms (logos, pathos, ethos) of rhetorical appeals.

·         For a rhetorical analysis, you’ll need to move from analyzing the argument of the text to creating an argument of your own, which starts with a thesis/claim statement for your essay.  This thesis should briefly discuss the text you’re analyzing, and explain how the argument gets made in the text.

THE AUDIENCE:

The intended audience is college-educated adults, who may not know about the issue or articles on which you are writing.

 THE REQUIREMENTS:

1)      The final analysis should be 3-4 pages long. 

2)      Incorporate evidence from the text itself.

3)      Use correct MLA documentation—both in-text citations and a Works Cited page.

4)      Attach a copy of your source text.  If it is multimedia source, provide a link.

THE PROCESS:

a)      Select your text and bring to class: April 19

b)      Develop a working thesis: April 21

c)       Draft the rhetorical analysis on April 21

d)      Peer review: April 26.  (Bring two hard copies of your draft to class as well as your source).

e)      Turn in Project 6 on April 28 (e-copy is due at 11:55 am via “Assignments” in Isidore; hard copy is due at the beginning of the last class)

Grading rubric:  150 points

FYI:

How to write a rhetorical analysis?

To get started, you are to: (This is a modified version of How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay, p145-146 from one of the textbooks A Brief Guide to Writing from Readings by Stephen Wilhoit)

(a)    Read the text closely

a.       Establish the source text’s rhetorical situation (Who is the author? What is the topic? Who is the audience? What is the purpose of the source text? What was the occasion for writing the source text?)

b.      Determine the author’s goal (what do you think the author is trying to accomplish?)

(b)   Analyze the argument (identify the rhetorical strategies used in the source text)

a.       Strategies involving the text’s content

b.      Use of arguments, evidence, and reasoning

(c)    Explain what emotional, ethical, and logical appeals is the writer making in support of the argument

(d)   Discuss how effective the argument is?  Are you convinced?

a.       Strategies involving the text’s structure

b.      Strategies involving the text’s style and language 

(e)   Determine your thesis

a.       How did the author achieve his/her rhetorical goal

b.      State which rhetorical strategies you will examine in your essay

(f)     Write your rough draft

a.       Introduction (the topic of the source text, its title and author, and your thesis).

b.      Summarize the source text and its rhetorical situation

c.       Draft the body, examining one rhetorical strategy at a time and supporting your judgment with specific examples from the source text.  Explain how each example you cite supports your claim.

d.      Write your concluding section by reminding readers of your thesis

(g)    Revise your rhetorical analysis paper (peer review is part of it).