Rhetorical Analysis essay

Essay # 3: Rhetorical Analysis

Write an essay analyzing one image that is attempting to “sell” you something. This image does not have to be an advertisement for a product, but it also may be. You may choose your ad from the Internet or print media as long as you can eventually post the picture in your paper electronically. Remember that some entity or other companies are selling you more than a product or service — they are selling you an underlying idea. Your thesis needs to indicate what that idea is AND how the ad portrays that idea (the rhetorical strategy).

An ad can use more than one appeal, so your thesis statement might vary:

For example:

The ABC advertisement sells XYZ by using pathos and logos to make viewers believe that the product advertised equates to something viewers want.

The Corona beer advertisement sells relaxation to viewers by using pathos to sway viewers to associate Corona beers to a vacation at the beach.

Requirements:

· Write at least 2-3 pages.

· Choose at least one rhetorical strategy that the ad uses to support your analysis of the ad’s message. Choosing two rhetorical strategies will get you bonus points.

· The ad should be described to the reader as if he or she cannot see it

· However, you do need to include the image in your essay, sized to be aesthetically pleasing to your readers, but does not count as part of your two or three pages.

· Begin with an introductory paragraph, including a thesis statement.

· Body paragraphs should be formal and well-developed.

· The essay should refer back to specific examples of rhetorical strategies in the ad.

· Review information on How to Format Your Paper and rules for academic writing.

· Include a Works Cited page for your image.

· Do no other research for this essay. The only item on your Works Cited should be the advertisement citation.

Tips:

· If you need help formulating good analysis questions, refer to the Writing Commons articles about socioeconomics, gender, and race.

· If you need help deciding on what rhetorical strategies to focus on, return to the rhetorical strategies lesson.

· Look at the Paper Format Instructions in the FAQ content area.

· If you want to analyze a motion ad, be sure to include the video in your works cited.