Rhetorical Analysis essay

Rhetorical Analysis Prompt, Spring 2020

Assignment

This assignment asks you to produce an argumentative, thesis-driven analysis of rhetorical strategies and their effects within Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad. Your analysis should examine how, and to what effect, the stylistic, thematic, and contextual choices of the text, including the author’s rhetorical choices, shape its purpose and message.

In order to craft your argument you may consider exploring the way in which rhetorical choices address the novel’s historical context, reflects the novel’s genre, shapes reader’s understandings of Whitehead’s characters, and/or seeks to affect his audience. No matter what argumentative path you take in your paper, you MUST use specific, detailed examples from the novel, and thorough analysis of them, in order to succeed.

You are also required to include two secondary sources to strengthen your argument. These may be used to provide context and background information, or to engage with other people’s ideas, allowing you to join an ongoing conversation about the text. You are welcome to use any secondary reading we have done for this class, or conduct your own academic research, though sources must be credible and trustworthy.

Consider this assignment an opportunity to further explore and complicate a line of analysis, or to use skills, that you have developed in your Critical Reading exercises, when preparing for class at home, and/or during class discussion. Please review the WR39B chapter in The Anteater’s Guide to Writing for additional tips and guidelines.

Requirements Length: 1500-1800 words, typed, double-spaced, and formatted in MLA style.

A minimum of two secondary sources, not including the primary text being analyzed, must be used to develop the essay. A works cited page is required part of the final draft.

Under certain conditions missing drafts and other process work may be grounds for failing this assignment.

Due Dates: Note, any discrepancies with the syllabus are intentional. Abide by these instructions !

Tuesday, April 28, 11:59 pm PST: 1000 word ROUGH DRAFT, via Canvas Saturday, May 9, 11:59 pm PST: Final Draft, via Canvas

NOTE: If you do not submit your rough draft at the above time and day I will NOT be reading and commenting on it (unless in case of verifiable emergency and/or prior arrangements are made). No exceptions!