In your essay, you will not be writing about every rhetorical element
You will write a four-five page (roughly 1,200-1500 word), rhetorical analysis the argumentative piece of writing that is listed down below and attached. Keep in mind, your goal is to analyze the ways in which the writers present their arguments and not to argue for or against an issue, or disagree or agree with any of these authors. Ultimately, you will be deciding whether the writer’s argument is effective based on specific, rhetorical elements, that we will be reading about and discussing in class.
The argumentative essay is and it is attached below.
“What Critics Don’t Understand About Gun Culture”
Here is a Helpful Overview of What a Successful Argument Entails An Effective Argument:
1.) deals with an issue that is debatable and open to different interpretations
2.) is not based solely on strong, “knee jerk” reactions or beliefs, unsubstantiated by evidence
3.) stands up to a critical reading (avoids logical fallacies)
4.) takes a position and makes a clear claim about the topic
5.) supports that position with detailed and specific evidence (such as reasons, facts, examples, descriptions, and stories)
6.) establishes common ground with listeners, viewers or readers and avoids confrontation.
7.) takes opposing views into account and either refutes them or shows why they may be unimportant or irrelevant
8.) incorporates the use of the three persuasive appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos
9.) presents reasons in a logical order.
10.) is engaged and vital, a reflection of the creator’s thinking rather than just a marshaling of others’ opinions. Some Advice on Writing a Successful Rhetorical Analysis:
In your essay, you will not be writing about every rhetorical element, but mainly focusing on the one’s that are relevant to the specific argument. You might use the questions below as a guide to your essay (though I don’t suggest that you organize based on the order of the questions). please make it as an essay rather than answering questions.
In addition to using support from the reading you are analyzing, you should also integrate evidence from “Backpacks vs. Briefcases…” and “Logical Fallacies,” if relevant. For instance, if you are analyzing ethos, it would be helpful to use “Backpacks…” to help define this concept. There will also be additional resources on Canvas to help you with this paper. Questions to Help you Develop Your Essay:
What is the author’s main claim? What is the main point the writer is trying to make? Is there a clearly stated thesis statement, or is it merely implied?
What are the exigence and constraints of the essay?
What support does the writer offer for the claim? What REASONS are given to support the claim, and what EVIDENCE backs up those reasons? Are the reasons plausible and sufficient?
How evenhandedly does the writer present the issues? Are the arguments appropriately qualified? Is there any mention of COUNTERARGUMENTS—and if so, how does the writer deal with them?
What authorities or other sources of information are cited? How credible and current are they?
How does the writer address you as the reader? Does the writer assume that you know something about what’s being discussed? Does his or her language include you, or not?
Be sure to check for FALLACIES, arguments that rely on faulty reasoning.
Who is the intended or unintended audience based on the context, formality, and diction (word choices, language, style) and tone?
What types of persuasive appeals (logos, pathos, ethos) does the writer use to convince the reader?
Of course, these questions do not cover everything, but they are certainly a good starting point.
Your Final Grade Will be Based on How Well Your Essay:
• Addresses the assignment (analyzes the essay from a rhetorical perspective)
• Contains a thesis statement that makes an overall claim about the argument and the rhetorical elements you are analyzing in order to come to that conclusion
• Invites the reader in with an engaging introduction (which not only provides biographical info. about the author but possibly a summary of the essay you’re analyzing) and closes with a satisfying conclusion
• Contains cohesive, focused, body paragraphs with topic sentences that relate back to your thesis
• Contains a logical structure and organization that includes transitional expression throughout the paper
• Maintains audience awareness (avoids overusing “I” and stays on topic)
• Incorporates evidence (direct quotes, paraphrases, and summary) from the argument you are analyzing and at least one other source: “Backpacks vs. Briefcases…,” “Logical Fallacies, etc.”
• Is nearly free of punctuation, mechanical, and spelling errors
• Is four-five pages typed, double-spaced and formatted in MLA style
Last notes: please do not forget to add a thesis statement that shows where you are heading at with the body paragraphs. And do not summarize or agree or disagree, analyze the essay and show the rhetorical appeals used from ethos paths or legos to the facts he used, any logical fallacies, exigence and constraints, etc..
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