English

Rhetorical Analysis

Discussion:

In this unit, we will talk about the fact that we are always surrounded by rhetoric. The more we

become aware of how authors and advertisers and speakers use rhetoric—of how they make use

of the rhetorical situation and rhetorical appeals—the better we become at making informed

decisions. You will practice identifying the use of logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos in various

types of texts—advertisements, videos, speeches, songs, etc. In this project, you will write a

complete rhetorical analysis of a single text.

Assignment:

First, choose a text. You should choose a professional text no more than 5 years old. Avoid

unattributed pictures from Google or random videos from YouTube. Do not choose a text that

has been overanalyzed already online. This will ensure that your analysis is your own.

You may choose from any of the following types of text:

• product advertisement (print or commercial)

• Ted Talk

• political speech

• news article

• work of art

• popular song

• movie poster or trailer

• company/organization/product website

Second, rhetorically analyze the text. A thorough rhetorical analysis of the text will include all

of the following:

• Discussion of the context (i.e. background information)

• A brief summary or description of the text

• Discussion of the rhetorical situation—author, audience, text, context

o You may use outside sources in moderation if necessary and cited.

• Discussion of the use of rhetorical appeals—logos (logic), ethos (credibility), pathos

(emotion), kairos (timing)

• Discussion of rhetorical strengths and weaknesses

• Conclusion/Judgment of the effectiveness of the artifact (likely or actual effect it had on

its intended audience—did it create change/raise awareness?)

Formatting:

• 1000-1250 words

• 12 pt font

• 1” margins

• Times New Roman

• Double-spaced

• Last name and page number in the upper-right corner

• Heading with name, class, and date in the upper left corner