Rhetorical Analysis

Eastern Washington University

Kathy L. Rowley, M.A

Composition 201

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Definition

Definition:

rhetorical analysis, n. analysis of the use of rhetorical figures and patterns in a composition

“When you identify a writer’s purpose for responding to a situation by composing an essay that

puts forth claims meant to sway a particular audience, are performing rhetorical analysis—

separating out the parts of an argument to better understand how the argument works as a whole”

(Greene and Lidinsky 29).

Greene, Stuart, and April Lidinsky, eds. From Inquiry to Academic Writing, Second Edition.

Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. Print.