Rhetorical Analysis

Writing 27 Rubric for Rhetorical Analysis essay

CONTENT

Offers context (short summary) for No Impact Man chapter and home country campaign by summarizing the main idea, or describing the content for an appropriate audience.

Paper focuses on one specific environmental issue

Discusses why the author chose the specific genre as a means to address argument in both No Impact Man and home country campaign.

Describes how the author uses pathos, ethos and/or logos to make the argument.

Defines rhetorical situation, by citing Bitzer and using your own words.

Includes a discussion of the writer’s chosen audience, purpose, persuasiveness, Kairos (urgent need), and biases.

Answers the question of whether or not each example effectively persuades the intended audience of their stance.

Describes the general effect of the piece, and what strategies produce that meaning, add some textual evidence to support that. Uses specific textual examples to do so.

For visual arguments show how colors, font and text, as well as any patterns developed by the work enhance meaning.

The introduction includes a snappy title, a hook that catches the reader’s attention, introduces both texts (name of the piece and the author/creator’s name), and plants a guiding idea that addresses why this analysis matters (this is basically a thesis).

Conclusion ties together the analysis and addresses why this matters and why a reader should care. What are the implications of the analysis you did? What can we learn about this in regards to how we discuss environmental issues both on the local level and globally?

MECHANICS

Uses appropriate grammar and proofreading strategies for clarity.

Effectively cites all source material correctly both in text and on a works cited page.

Every paragraph has a topic sentence, a clear piece of evidence, and analysis that relates back to the main idea of both the paragraph and the main idea of the paper.

Writer uses transitions to make sure each sentence has a logical flow and each paragraph logically follows the next.

Writer states your claim/purpose of the paper, though do not use an I will statement, rather state clearly your intent for the paper. This clear arguable thesis acts as a roadmap for your essay. Make sure this is concrete and specific, that you can prove this within the scope of the assignment, and that reasonable people might disagree. (Example: This essay has a powerful rhetorical strategy is not a strong thesis. However, to state, Environmental campaigns like Beavan’s and Greenpeace China’s consistent use of scientific examples blended with humor encourages the audience to identify with their position).

REFLECTION

Analyzes the effectiveness of each argument by connecting the parts of the rhetorical analysis to the larger effect of the piece for the intended audience.

Addresses your own biases and how they might impact your understanding of the piece. This is where I want to see your cross-cultural perspective.

Proves why and how each example effectively persuades the intended audience of their stance.

Conclusion teaches me something new. Gives your reader an idea of where we should go with this learning and how to best proceed when discussing environmental issues.

PROCESS

All homework, workshops, in-class activities, reading blogs, are done on time and thoroughly