Analysis essay. first draft

For this essay, you will analyze what makes an effective rhetor (someone who uses

rhetoric publicly) and how specific rhetorical tactics operate. You will select a person

(a “rhetorical superhero”), living or dead, and examine how their language and texts

have made a difference to improve a specific community (e.g. convinced people to

work towards change, compelled people to act, etc.). You can define “community”

broadly (e.g. women, the American people, etc.) or more specifically (e.g. the Bronx,

Russian LGBTQ youth, etc.).

Your essay should use rhetorical vocabulary to account for who the rhetor is (ethos),

how the person made/makes a difference using language (in specific incidences),

and how that difference is tangible or verifiable in the world (audience). Your essay

should incorporate evidence from published interviews and/or historical or reference

materials. You must include some direct quotes from words your subject has written

or spoken aloud, and these quotes should come from at least four distinct outside

sources (primary sources). For example, if you were writing your essay about

Beyonce, you could quote from two of her songs, an interview, and an award

acceptance speech. What is important is that you are able to find sources that

demonstrate how your subject uses rhetoric. All outside sources must be cited in-

text and in a Works Cited page, according to MLA format.

In your rhetorical analysis essay, you analyzed one “text” (song/music video) in

depth. In this essay, you will be writing about multiple sources and synthesizing your

analysis to draw conclusions about your subject.

Your essay should consider what specific rhetorical techniques your subject uses

(ethos, pathos, logos, repetition, figurative language, diction, sentence structure,

parallelism, tone, visual rhetoric, etc.). Your essay should also explain HOW and

WHY these rhetorical techniques are effective. How do they help your subject reach

their audience(s)? What evidence (cite outside sources) do you have that

supports that their use of rhetoric is effective?

Your rhetorical superhero should be someone relatively well-known (i.e. not just

someone you know personally). They can be a historical figure, politician, scientist,

celebrity, artist, writer, activist, musician, philanthropist, athlete, coach, etc. The only

requirement is that they be an effective rhetorician, meaning that they are able to

reach their audience(s) by using rhetoric in a convincing and ethical way.

In this essay, you will use some of the strategies of the personal narrative and some

of the strategies of the rhetorical analysis essay. During the personal narrative unit,

we explored how to use an essay to tell a story, entertain the reader, and

characterize people. In this essay, you will be using some of those strategies to

make a compelling argument about how a particular rhetor engages with the world

and communicate with their audience. You can (but don’t have to) use first person in

this essay, and you can use a more informal tone than you used in the rhetorical

analysis essay.

Because I want us to focus on ways in which rhetoric can be used to improve our

communities, I request that you not select a “rhetorical superhero” who has used

rhetoric for evil purposes (i.e. don’t write about fascists, dictators, serial killers, etc.).

The goal of this activity is for you and your classmates to think critically about how

we can borrow strategies from others to use rhetoric effectively in our own lives, so

let’s focus on rhetoric that is not intended to cause harm.

Your final essay will be at least 5-6 pages (not counting the Works Cited page),

double-spaced, with 12 pt. Times New Roman font and MLA format.

You will also be giving a short (5 minute) oral presentation on your essay topic at

the end of the semester. This presentation is a separate grade that is worth 5% of

your overall grade in the course.

Rubric for Essay 3: Rhetorical Profile

*Note that all of these categories are not weighted equally in determining the final

grade

Introduction/Thesis: The essay has a clear thesis/line of inquiry that is analytic,

specific, and focused. The thesis addresses how the rhetor uses specific rhetorical

strategies to achieve a particular purpose. The essay’s introduction clearly illustrates

the focus and purpose of the essay (rhetorical analysis), provides necessary

social/political/historical context for the subject, and is an appropriate length (no

more than ⅔ page).

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A

Focus/Development: The essay is very well-developed, and each paragraph has a

clear, specific focus that relates back to the paper’s main argument (thesis). Each

body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that accurately states that paragraph’s

focus. Sufficient evidence from at least four primary sources is presented

and analyzed in relation to the essay’s main argument. The analysis is thorough,

thoughtful, and insightful. The analysis explains how the evidence is an example of a

specific rhetorical strategy, why the rhetor uses this strategy, and how it helps them

reach their audience and achieve their purpose.

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A

Conclusion: The essay includes a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis (in

different words/phrasing) and answers the “so what” question. It should be clear to

the audience why your subject matters, why their rhetoric matters, and why your

reader should care about them too.

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A

Organization and Flow: The paragraphs are an appropriate length. The essay has

a smooth flow, without any choppiness, and transitions are used effectively.

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A

Style: There are clear sentences with varied structures, and there is an assertive,

formal, and academic tone. The writer avoids passive voice, second person, and

vague constructions and word choices.

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A

MLA Format and Grammar/Mechanics: The essay has one-inch margins, correct

headings/headers, and correctly formatted in-text citations. The essay has a

correctly formatted Works Cited page. There is a a specific academic title that

accurately prepares the reader for the content of the essay. There are no spelling,

grammar, and punctuation errors present.

F--------------------------------------------------C--------------------------------------------------A